Addendum Material 1 MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami 6"ch, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeochfl.gov
COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM
TO: Neighborhood/Community Affairs Co mittee Members
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: September 30, 2013
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE 10TH ANNUAL MIAMI BEACH VETERANS
DAY PARADE AND WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
BACKGROUND
For the past four years, Commissioner Jerry Libbin along with the Miami Beach
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3559, American Legion Post.85 and local military
officials have coordinated the Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade and Wreath
Laying Ceremony. Parade participation has flourished over the years from
approximately 50 individuals to over 2200 participants last year. The parade has
included a variety of military-groups and veterans, public officials, students, bands,
local businesses, sports teams and other organizations.
During WWII, the beaches and hotels in Miami Beach served as a home base for
military troops, Hence it is befitting to organize a parade in the city to thank the
troops for all that they have sacrificed to defend our freedom.
At the 2012 parade the City of Miami Beach received a letter from the Veterans Day
National Committee at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs designating us a
Regional Site for the celebration of Veterans Day. This is a very prestigious honor.
At the conclusion of the parade route along Washington Avenue, the participants
and spectators are invited to a wreath laying ceremony at Flamingo Park which
includes a performance-by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Other
activities at the park include a 21-gun salute by MBPD Honor Guard, and a grand
finale flyover by the US Air Force F-16 Mako jetfighters squadron.
In 2012/13 the City appropriated $15,000 in our Citywide Account for expenses
related to the parade. Actual expenses for the 2012/13 parade were $11,650.
The FY 2013/14 Proposed Budget includes $15,000 for the execution of the 2013
Fifth Annual Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade.
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Agenda Item RQ C
Date
Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee
September 30,2013
Page 2-of 2
RECOMMENDATIONS
Commissioner Libbin has approached the Manager's Office asking if the City would
continue the tradition of the parade. He also noted that the community organizations
that have traditionally coordinated the event no longer have the ability to do so. It
should be noted that last year the City covered all expenses for the parade. My staff
has reviewed the logistics of the parade and we believe that we can coordinate the
efforts of the various participants for the budgeted amount.
JLM/MM