{"id":41228,"date":"2025-11-10T18:52:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T18:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/41228\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T18:52:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T18:52:10","slug":"veterans-day-parade-steps-off-to-patriot-lined-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/41228\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterans Day parade steps off to patriot-lined streets"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This year\u2019s Grand Marshall, Capt. Petros \u201cPete\u201d Kurkimilis officially kicked off the blocks-long parade showcasing service vehicles, motorcycles and marchers. Kurkimilis, 98, is a veteran of three wars, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
\nKurkimilis, then 15 and an orphan, lied about his age to join the Merchant Marine at the start of World War II. <\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

5 \/ 15<\/p>\n

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The Lee County Sheriff Office\u2019s helicopter made passed over the parade route. <\/p>\n

the Lee County Sheriff Office\u2019s helicopter made its first low pass over the parade route. <\/p>\n

6 \/ 15<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.<\/p>\n

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The Lee County Sheriff Office’s float was popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek. <\/p>\n

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno\u2019s traveling float was equally popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek. <\/p>\n

11 \/ 15<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more. Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

12 \/ 15<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

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year oldJordan Menic and mother Carina were among those you tuned out to watch the parade on Saturday.<\/p>\n

year oldJordan Menic and mother Carina<\/p>\n

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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more.<\/p>\n

Casey Bradley Gent<\/p>\n

15 \/ 15<\/p>\n

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Michele McCarl was among those who showed their patriotism Saturday.<\/p>\n

Michele McCarl<\/p>\n

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Warm temperatures Saturday sent the Cape Coral community searching for shade but the summer-like heat did not prevent people of all ages from lining Cape Coral Parkway for the city\u2019s Veterans Day parade. <\/p>\n

At 11 a.m., 4-year-old Jordan Menic shuffled his feet with excitement as the Lee County Sheriff Office\u2019s helicopter made its first low pass over the parade route. Then a walking procession of local veterans followed by this year\u2019s Grand Marshall, Capt. Petros \u201cPete\u201d Kurkimilis officially kicked off the blocks-long parade showcasing service vehicles, motorcycles and marchers.<\/p>\n

Kurkimilis, 98, is a veteran of three wars, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. <\/p>\n

Kurkimilis, then 15 and an orphan, lied about his age to join the Merchant Marine at the start of World War II. <\/p>\n

In 2022, Kurkimilis was awarded the distinguished Congressional Gold Medal for his military service. <\/p>\n

Parade onlookers \u2014 veterans, neighbors and children alike \u2014 applauded as the car carrying the war hero crept along Cape Coral Parkway.<\/p>\n

Michele McCarl vigorously waved an American flag. <\/p>\n

\u201cI am here supporting the most important part of our society. Our freedom,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

McCarl was joined by her husband, Tim, who is a Navy veteran. <\/p>\n

Carina Menic, Jordan\u2019s mother, shared that for all of her son\u2019s 4 years, the two have never missed the Cape Coral Veteran\u2019s Day parade. \u201cWe definitely come to see the trucks,\u201d Menic said. \u201cBut we also are here to support our military \u2013 they are this nation\u2019s real superheroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the sheriff\u2019s helicopter garnered plenty of enthusiasm from on-lookers \u2014 repeatedly flying low and hovering above the crowd \u2013 Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno\u2019s traveling float was equally popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek. <\/p>\n

Proud grandmother Debbie Bradley arrived early to watch this year\u2019s Veterans Day parade. She said her grandson is 17, and that he was participating in the parade with ROTC. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur family are all Marines,\u201d Bradley added with pride. <\/p>\n

She said she had been coming to Cape Coral\u2019s annual Veteran\u2019s Day event for more than a decade.<\/p>\n


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