- November 24, 2024
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Army veteran Harvey Goldberg stepped away from the buffet line May 22 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall with his plate overflowing and a big smile.
He had come to enjoy food donated by McGrath's Irish Ale House, Ed's Tavern, Main Street Trattoria and Remy's to honor veterans before the Tribute to Heroes Parade at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, More than 100 veterans enjoyed the meal.
"I moved here six years ago from California," said Goldberg, who lives in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch. "There is a huge difference how people respect ex-military here. People go out of their way to be nice to veterans."
While several military veterans rode in vehicles during the parade, the 80-year-old Goldberg walked the parade route down Lakewood Main Street with many other veterans. Those who rode included two 100-year-old-plus World War II veterans.
It was the first Tribute to Heroes Parade since 2019; the past two were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2018 Tribute to Heroes Parade was wiped out by rain, and that seemed a possibility earlier on Sunday, but the possible thunderstorms forecast for the region never materialized.
Michael Kanter, the owner of Lakewood Ranch Dental and a U.S. Army veteran, was the parade's grand marshal.
"This is a great event honoring vets, so this is a real honor," Kanter said.
Kanter, who has sponsored floats in the parade before, is the longest standing member of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities which organized the parade.
"This is just fantastic for the veterans," he said. "They don't get as much (gratitude) as they should."