VETERANS DAY EVENTS
|November 07, 2019
Military museum to hold festival for Veterans Day weekend
The Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, will host a Freedom Festival to commemorate Veterans Day weekend Nov. 9-11. This weekend event will include numerous fun, family friendly activities.
Saturday, the Family Fun Festival will take place from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and includes military themed documentaries and films, remote-controlled tank battles, obstacle course and other outdoor activities, flight simulators, VR Oculus, smokeless range, Google Expeditions and Kids Discovery Zone. At 7 p.m. Saturday, the Gulfshore Tenors will perform in the Gulf Theater. Tickets are $25 and $35.
From noon-5 p.m. Sunday and Monday there will be military-themed documentaries and films, U.S. Marine Corps birthday (Sunday only) and brunch at the museum (offered 11 a.m. Sunday and noon Monday).
The cost is $15 per person for a threeday, all-access pass. Admission for veterans, annual members and youth 5 and older is $10.
Some local hotels are offering event discount rates when you mention Veterans Festival. Call Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside at 941-637- 6770, and PG Waterfront Hotel & Suites at 941-639-1165 for details.
For more information about the Military Heritage Museum, or reservations:www.militaryheritagemuseum.org/upcoming-events or 941- 575-9002.
Veterans Day car show
Florida West Coast Car Club of America will present a Veterans Day car show from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda. For information: www/facebook.com/fwccc.org.
Veterans Day book signing held at Military Heritage Museum
The Military Heritage Museum will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, due to construction taking place at Veterans Park. The event will take place at the museum campus, located at 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, there will be a book signing event from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the museum’s Academy Library, featuring three books selected by James Abraham, a local book publisher, book reviewer, former reporter and journalist. The Museum’s Academy Library was recently a beneficiary of Mr. Abraham’s extensive military-related book collection of approximately 500 books. Titled “Words of Freedom: Authors and Their Books About America’s Fighting Men and Women,” it celebrates the works of three authors, and will feature a novel, a memoir and a biography celebrating American heroes. Authors and their works include:
¦“Never Give Up!” by Richard Hale.A Navy Seal survives combat on far shoes, only to come home and be confronted with post-traumatic stress disorder. Twenty veterans a day commit suicide, and PTSD is often a contributing factor. After watching a friend take his own life because he could not make the adjustment to civilian life, Carter fights back against PTSD and begins a national movement to better provide for Americans who sacrifice for our nation.
¦“The Convert” by Marilyn Boehm.A young rebel redeems himself on a small farm and learns the value of hard work and trust before being launched into combat as a Navy pilot in the battle-filled skies over Guadalcanal during WWII. The writer’s eye for detail and naval warfare analysis makes this novel a valuable reflection of the life and times of our greatest generation.
¦“A Call to Duty” by Dr. William Stewart.The only man to rise from seaman to captain of an aircraft carrier, RADM Leslie Gehres was a controversial real-life hero. His life from humble roots as a fatherless boy to his pioneering aviation career and his struggle to bring the USS Franklin (CV13) back to its homeport during WWII are painstakingly researched in “A Call to Duty.”
The events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the library of the Military Heritage Museum. For more information, contact Gary Butler at 941-575- 9002, or James Abraham at 941-258-4920.
For more information about the museum, or for reservations:www.militaryheritagemuseum.orgor 941-575-9002.
Burnt Store Church holds concert
Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, 11330 Burnt Store Road hosts a concert “A Tribute to Veterans,” headlined by Brian Gurl and friends at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8. Proceeds benefit Southwest Florida Honor Flight and Paws for Veterans. Admission is $20. For information and tickets: 941-639-0001,office@bspconline.orgorwww.bspconline.org.
Support fair offered
A Veteran Community Support Fair runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade. Information:info@freedomisntfree.orgor 941-575-9002.
Annual Veterans Appreciation Parade
The annual Veterans Appreciation Parade will be held from 9:30 a.m.- noon Saturday, Nov. 9. Follow the parade route through Punta Gorda from Taylor Road, starting at Carmalita Street and ending at West Retta Esplanade. For more information, contact Punta Gorda Elk’s Lodge #2606 at 856-816- 1436 orwww.puntagordaelks.org. If you know a WWII veteran, contact the parade chairman Dave Casadei at dave_casadei@yahoo.com.
Charlotte County Concert Band opens season
The Charlotte County Concert Band, under the artistic direction of Bob Miller, has planned a special program to open its 2019-20 concert season. The band’s first concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda. Entitled “Sounds of America,” this concert is designed to honor our great country, with a special tribute to the men and women in the audience and band who have served in our various armed forces.
Many of the selections you will hear at this concert are about the liberties we enjoy: “America, the Beautiful,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “Yankee Doodle” and “Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean.” You will have an opportunity to reflect upon the people on TWA Flight 800, whose plane crashed in western Pennsylvania on 9/11, as you listen to a piece entitled “’Tis A Gift.”
“Message on the Rock,” which tells the story of an artist who saw a rock covered with graffiti and turned it into a piece of art by drawing scenes from our country’s history — including Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and a scene from 9/11 —should inspire. You also will hear the heroic composition “Black Granite” that celebrates the valor, courage and honor of those who served in the Vietnam War.
Shannon Underwood, who plays oboe in the band, will perform the theme from “Schindler’s List” on the violin. Tenor Dennis Clark will be making his second performance with the band as he performs “Let There Be Peace On Earth” and “God Bless The USA.”
There will be some lighter moments as the band performs a selection of songs from the iconic American musical “Beauty and the Beast,” as well as a unique treatment of “Yankee Doodle.”
Tickets are available online atwww.charlottecountyconcertband.comor at the door. ¦