Veterans-Day-2021-Press-Release
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community.
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Melissa Berthier, Email: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
Paul Scicchitano, Email: paulscicchitano@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2021
Miami Beach to Host 13th Annual Veterans Day Celebration
— Largest parade of the day in South Florida takes route on Ocean Drive—
Miami Beach, FL — Join the City of Miami Beach for the return of the 13th annual Veterans
Day parade and celebration at 11:11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11. The event features veteran
and military groups, marching bands and community organizations along iconic Ocean Drive
beginning at Fifth Street.
The start time of the event coincides with the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
originally intended to commemorate the armistice ending World War I. The holiday was later
expanded to honor American veterans of all wars.
During World War II, the beaches and hotels in the City of Miami Beach served as a home
base for military troops. “Many of the service members fell in love with our city and wound up
settling here after the war,” noted Miami Beach City Manager Alina T. Hudak.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion organized parades for more than 50 years
to salute the troops who sacrificed so much to defend our nation’s freedom. The City of Miami
Beach has continued this tradition for more than a decade, even holding a virtual celebration in
2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made it impractical to hold the usual celebration.
The largest parade of the day in South Florida takes route on Ocean Drive from Fifth to 14
streets. At noon, the festivities move to Lummus Park as the All Veteran Parachute Team takes
to the skies over South Beach for a demonstration. The event continues with a family picnic in
Lummus Park and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Parade participation has grown from approximately 50 people to more than 2,000 over the
years – including students, organizations, businesses, military groups and public officials. The
program includes the Miami Beach Police and Fire Department Honor Guards’ presentation of
the colors; a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and a moment of silence
in honor of our First World War Armistice Day tradition. There will also be addresses by military
officials from Southern Command and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Other activities include
MBPD Honor Guard’s 21-gun salute and a performance by a Taps bugler.
The event is made possible by generous sponsorships from T-Mobile, Coca-Cola Beverages
Florida, EASY 93.1 (WFEZ-FM, Gabriel South Beach, Meet Dalia, Shake Shack, Operation
Gratitude and South Beach Hotel Group.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
As a designated City of Kindness, Miami Beach has partnered with Operation Gratitude to
invite attendees to write letters of gratitude and encouragement for deployed service members,
new recruits and first responders as well as veterans who have fought for our nation’s freedom.
Miami Beach is a U.S. designated site for the observance of Veterans Day.
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To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in
any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).