- March 3, 2025
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Rich Greenberg, president of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb, salutes during the Star Spangled Banner.
Photo by Jay HeaterGill Ruderman, of Braden River VFW Post 12055, enjoys his ride as the Tribute to Heroes Parade grand marshal.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe parade honored veterans such as School Board Member Richard Tatem and World War II veteran John Skeen.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe parade had some monsters among its 65 entries.
Photo by Jay HeaterBlue Skye Pipes and Drums entertains the crowd on Lakewood Main before the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterAlthough school already had let out, members of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Band showed up to march and honor the veterans.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe East Manatee Bulldogs brought a large group to the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterAverie Hartley, 6, Brynleigh Hartley, 8, Bentley Gray, 7, and Remi Gray, 5, all of Lakewood Ranch, squeeze into the patriotic Lakewood Ranch Sign before the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Girl Scouts of the Gulfcoast Florida had an entry into the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Crewe of Hernando DeSoto greet the veterans in the VIP seating section at the end of the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterSanta Steve, AKA Steven Hadala, chats with veterans during the Tribute to Heroes Parade. Hadala represents the West Central Honor Flight Honor Guard, professional Santas who honor veterans.
Photo by Jay HeaterMembers of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Band marched in the parade to honor the veterans.
Photo by Jay HeaterBill Howard, the founding member of the New World Celts, plays the bagpipes during the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterTidewell Hospice Clown Ann Marie Keck interacts with the crowd during the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Lakewood Ranch Garden Club's Anita Machlin enjoys her march down Lakewood Main Street during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterDrew Trapani of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble performs on the drums with Old Glory blowing in the background.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch's Katie McColley and her 1 1/2-year-old son Eli dance in the street to Blue Skye Pipes and Drums before the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterDave Daily, Ken Green, Graham Ellis and Chuck Slenker, all of Braden River VFW Post 12055, serve as the honor guard during the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterTwo Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies had the best seat in the house for the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterWorld War II veteran Marvin Johnson was honored in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterTidewell Hospice clowns John Finnegan of Lakewood Ranch, Ann Marie Keck of Venice, Linda Miller of North Port and Betty Palsgrove of Palmetto, get ready to march.
Photo by Jay HeaterLevi Courtney, a Marine Corps veteran, rode with his boat through the parade. His Palmetto-based Red State Armory offers "machine gun boat tours."
Photo by Jay Heater
U.S. Army veteran Ned Fishman of Eagle Trace waves to the crowd during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterAn East Manatee Fire Rescue truck started the parade and tossed candy to the kids along the way.
Photo by Jay HeaterU.S. Army veteran Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch waves while riding in Lakewood Ranch's 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterMembers of the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club tried to plant a seed for the club by marching in the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterEast County Observer Associate Publisher Lori Ruth gets a big hug from Graham Ellis of Braden River VFW Post 12055 during a special dinner for the veterans at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Ruth helps organize the dinner.
Photo by Jay HeaterManatee County Commissioners Jason Bearden and Vanessa Baugh visit with Herman Martinez of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb at a special dinner for veterans before the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch's Carter Allen, 4, stands with his mom Lindsey Allen and gets a thrill from the Baltimore Orioles mascot.
Photo by Jay HeaterWith 65 entries, the parade took a long time.
Photo by Jay HeaterA line of heavy duty vehicles were cheered on by those in attendance.
Photo by Jay HeaterManatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh tosses candy to kids along the parade route.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch's Ashton Nicholson, Clayton Nicholson, Leo Stace, and Preston Nicholson, and Minnesota's James Jensen learn about Mote Marine from volunteer Mary Hasselbring before the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterMembers of the Lakewood Ranch High Color Guard had a little fun before the start of the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterLesli and Russell Johnson of River Club said the best thing about the Tribute to Heroes Parade is to "simply recognize the guys who didn't come home."
Photo by Jay HeaterRuskin's Jakoda Watson, 14 months, chows down on spaghetti from mom Chelsea Wood on the parade route.
Photo by Jay HeaterArmy veteran Russell Johnson, wearing his Vietnam veteran's cap, looked down at a packed Lakewood Main Street on May 28, a few minutes before the Tribute to Heroes Parade was about to begin.
"I wear this hat once a year (on Memorial Day weekend)," Johnson said. "It used to be nobody would sit next to me."
Johnson, who was in the infantry, remembered returning from Vietnam and receiving a cold welcome home. He said he was sitting in an airport when a child came up to him, and upon recognizing him as a soldier, the child's mother hurried over and pulled the child away.
"The way we were treated, … we got over it," Johnson said.
He said things have changed in the way the American public views soldiers who defended the country's freedom in Vietnam, but he would like to see Memorial Day celebrations take on a more serious tone.
"It is simply to recognize guys who didn't come home," he said. "We're having this party, but we're thinking about the veterans."
The parade certainly had its solemn moments. Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh read a county proclamation that had her choked with emotion, talking about soldiers' sacrifices.
The Blue Skye Pipes and Drums group played "Amazing Grace" before the parade began and the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble performed various patriotic marches.
But the event also catered to the children in a crowd of several thousand. Some of their parents said they explained what the holiday, and the parade, was all about to put it all into context.
The parade itself was inspiring, packed with 65 entries, live music, floats, and many interesting vehicles to entertain the crowd.
"I like that this is one of the things that brings out folks," said Graham Ellis of Braden River VFW Post 12055. "Wow!
"And we have so many veterans who have been in so many different conflicts. Everyone is on the same footing."
Many of the veterans in attendance received a free meal courtesy of local business such as Kelly's Roast Beef, McGrath's, Ed's Tavern, Remy's on Main and Detwiler's Farm Market. The pre-parade event was held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
U.S. Marine veteran Jason Bearden, a Manatee County commissioner, said he was thrilled to participate.
"It is amazing the things this community does," he said. "And Memorial Day has a special place in my heart. When I was 7, my friend's dad was killed in Desert Storm."
Bearden looked around at the packed room at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
"I hope in the future we can continue to grow this," he said.
Herman Martinez of the Del Webb Association of Veterans and Military Supporters called the Tribute to Heroes Parade "the most important event of the entire year in Lakewood Ranch."
"We truly have left some good friends behind," he said.
Ken Green of VFW Post 12055 told a story of standing near a Lieutenant Commander who was killed on a flight deck when hit by a plane. Martinez talked about seeing a 13-year-old Vietnamese boy drop a grenade into the gas tank of a vehicle. Two of his fellow soldiers died in the explosion.
"We saw a lot of stuff," Ellis said.
Dave Daily, who is commander of VFW Post 12055, said the public has come together when it comes to honoring its soldiers.
"Events like this one are very important with all the political divide," Daily said. "At the end of the day, we are all Americans. Events like this show that is still true."
