There are states with military veterans and the men and women on active duty.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s Florida, with more than 1.4 million vets and their families, tens of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen on some two dozen bases.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s not including the American and foreign pilots preceding these heroes, those who trained in the Sunshine State during World War II, the many who served and\/or paid the price in conflicts dating to the American Civil War and the Seminole Wars before then.<\/p>\n
To honor these men and women in uniform, the Cape Coral Museum of History and its title sponsor Incredible Bank will host A Salute to Service and Sacrifice, a tribute to service members on Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
The festival will have veteran information tents, a vendor village, military vehicles, food trucks, a JROTC demonstration unit, entertainment, honor guards and more, including Cape veterans with stories to tell.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always important to thank a veteran for the sacrifices they\u2019ve made, the wounds visible and invisible,\u201d said Lisa Arnold, commander of the Cape\u2019s American Legion Post 90 with 1,700 members.<\/p>\n
Combining Cape history with a traditional November salute to veterans seemed a natural fit, said Linda Biondi, museum board vice president and chair of A Salute to Service and Sacrifice, the city\u2019s first such celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have a good time that day,\u201d Biondi added. \u201cA very patriotic event.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where, when & what:<\/p>\n
\u2022 544 Cultural Park Blvd,. Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum has three buildings and three garden areas to explore. Free admission.<\/p>\n
Music and entertainment:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Opening ceremonies start at 10:30 a.m. and feature: an Honor Guard Presentation of the Colors, Isabella Clark singing the national anthem and a performance by Guns and Hoses<\/p>\n
\u2022 Robert Gonnelli and Associates \u2013 A Moment In Time, performing throughout the day<\/p>\n
\u2022 Performance by the Calendar Girls at 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mariner JROTC rifle demonstration at 1 p.m. <\/p>\n
Participating organizations include Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 594, Gold Star Families, Collier Lee Honor Flight, Holiday for Heroes, American Legion Post 90, Purple Heart Chapter 696, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-10, Brotherhood of Heroes (Resource Center and Museum), DAV \u2013 Disabled American Veterans, Blue Star Families, Korean War Vets, Florida Military Vehicle Heritage, Hearts & Homes for Veterans, Cape Coral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and VFW District 13.<\/p>\n
About the Cape Coral Museum of History<\/p>\n