ORLANDO, Fla. – The City of Orlando’s annual Veterans Day Parade celebrated its 26th year with a significant change of scenery, as for the first time, the event was held in Lake Nona, drawing large crowds and renewed appreciation for local veterans despite ongoing concerns over the government shutdown.
Thousands lined the avenues Saturday for the parade’s debut in the fast-growing Lake Nona community, home to the Orlando VA Medical Center. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the decision to relocate the downtown tradition was made in partnership with the city’s veterans committee.
“Our veterans committee thought it’d be a good idea to move it out to Lake Nona. Traditionally, it’s been in downtown, but we have this great VA Hospital and the presence of all the veterans that come here to Lake Nona,” Dyer said. “We’re gonna try it out this year. Looks like a big crowd. We have, I think, 84 different entries in the parade, so it’s one of the bigger parades that we have. So we look for a great success today.”
Spectators cheered and waved flags as marching bands and veteran groups made their way through the streets, honoring those who have served. For 88-year-old veteran Aida Rivera, the day was deeply meaningful.
“Once you get out of the service, recognition is very little, and being recognized today for me—it’s wonderful,” Rivera said.
But with the federal government shutdown casting a shadow, many veterans expressed frustration over the trickle-down effects on the community.
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“It really disheartens me that we could ever shut down the government, and let alone all the trickle-down effects of that, of the things that 99% of the population wouldn’t even think about,” said Timothy Beers, a recent retiree.
“When the government shuts down, you may not be able to turn someone into a national cemetery because it’s closed down.”
Mayor Dyer echoed the concerns and called for state intervention to protect veterans, particularly regarding benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“There is the opportunity for the state to step in, especially on SNAP benefits, to bridge that gap,” Dyer said. “The governor has decided not to do that. I think, at least at the local and state levels, we need to say—we don’t care whether the Democrats are at fault or the Republicans are at fault. We need to take care of our citizens, especially our veterans.”
Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs said their commitment to serving veterans continues.
For a full list of benefits still covered during the shutdown, click here.
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