- October 19, 2022
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Yuly Torres, Ezra Torres, 3, and Yudi Torres watch the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyLisa Beaumont and Jamieson Beaumont, 2, welcome the parade vehicles.
Photo by Ian SwabyCol. Ben Knisely, who served 28 years in the United States Army and was honored as Veteran of the Year, interacts with the public from a parade vehicle.
Photo by Ian SwabyJake Coad takes a flag from Liz Taft of Daughters of the American Revolution.
Photo by Ian SwabyA buss with members of the Vietnam Brotherhood approaches.
Photo by Ian SwabyAntoinette Virgilio cheers on Sarasota Military Academy.
Photo by Ian SwabyEthan Parker, 12, rides with the Historic Aircraft Society.
Photo by Ian SwabyTodd Hughes and Rob Kehs of SRQ Vets rode with Ghost and Raven.
Photo by Ian SwabyDanae and Krits Tran celebrated veterans with a sign.
Photo by Ian SwabyBooker High School's JROTC team walks the parade route.
Photo by Ian SwabyJack R. of Fruitville Elementary School waits for the parade to begin.
Photo by Ian SwabyCheerleaders from Booker High School march in the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyJana Metheny and her husband, Potentate Frank Metheny of Sahib Shriners, appear in the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyCatalina C. of Fruitville Elementary School watches as the parade begins.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Riverview High School Kiltie Band marches in the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyJan Solomon recites a prayer, while Inehue Nenquimo, an exchange student from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, translates it into Spanish.
Photo by Ian SwabyMaster Sgt. Barbara Vaughn, who spent 28 years in the Air Force, Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard, was honored as the female veteran of the year.
Photo by Ian SwabyErica Stone Gregory, who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, delivers a speech at the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyCol. Ben Knisely, who was honored as Veteran of the Year along with Master Sgt. Barbara Vaughn, said Sarasota is a place that welcomes veterans.
"I would say to you, having grown up in the little town of Osprey — I know the area well — Sarasota is a very, very friendly place for veterans," he told attendees at the ceremony that followed the annual Veteran's Day Parade.
He said while he was honored to accept the award, he did it with one contingency — that he did so on behalf of all veterans in the community.
The whole veteran community was honored during the Veterans Day parade, held Nov. 11. along Main Street and featuring the participation of local police and fire staff, schools, clubs and organizations and concluding in the ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.
The keynote speaker was Erica Stone Gregory, a retired lieutenant colonel who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, whose husband is State Rep. Tommy Gregory.
She recounted how growing up with a father who was an Air Force veteran and a mother who was an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she learned a respect for America's freedoms.
She said although her own sacrifices could not compare with those many other veterans had made.
"Let me tell you why I believe many of them did it," she said. "It's because we are proud of this country, and we all should be. This is the greatest country in the history of the world because of the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. We must defend our country and its ideals to ensure we remain a beacon of freedom, and I'm proof that the United States of America is a wonderful melting pot and remains the land of opportunity."
