Sarasota schools to salute veterans

Sarasota Military Academy color guard, drum line and pipers will salute veterans in a special ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.

McIntosh Middle School will team up with Sarasota Military Academy at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at McIntosh Middle School, 701 McIntosh Road, for a program titled “Honoring All Who Served.” Drum corps, drill teams and bagpipers from the academy will perform with the McIntosh band and chorus. All veterans and current service members are welcome to attend. Veterans are asked to arrive by 9:20 a.m., park in the north parking lot and report to the McIntosh Middle School gym for the ceremony.

Sarasota Military Academy cadets, color guard and drum line, with some cadets on horseback, will assemble at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, outside the school, 801 Orange Ave. At 9:15 a.m., the cadets will begin marching to Main Street to assemble for the City of Sarasota’s Veterans Day Parade,

Fruitville Elementary School will air its live video announcements from the Wall of Honor in the cafeteria, which showcases photos and memories of relatives of students and staff who served in the armed forces at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the school, 601 Honore Ave. The announcements will feature Angela Hartvigsen (parent, violin teacher and the school district’s fine arts specialist) playing the National Anthem on her violin. The school’s music teacher, Emily Garske, will sing "God Bless America," while students sing along from their classrooms.

Pine View School will host a Veterans Day celebration at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the school, 1 Python Path, Osprey. The event will start with breakfast in the student union, followed by a ceremony at 9:15 a.m. in the gym. Student council representatives will honor veterans for their service to the United States. Representatives from the drive and Col. Richard Swier will be the guest speaker. The ceremony will feature patriotic music by the high school band and elementary chorus.

Bay Haven School of Basics Plus will sing patriotic songs at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the school, 2901 W. Tamiami Circle. Flags will be placed around the campus and several classes will create banners.

The City of Sarasota Veterans Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Osprey Avenue. The marching route will be west along Main Street to Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park on Gulfstream Avenue. Sarasota Military Academy cadets and Sarasota High School JROTC students will be among the groups participating in the parade and ceremony at the park.

Sarasota High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will march in the city’s Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, down Main Street. The Singing Sailors will present a free Veterans Day concert at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium, 1 Ram Way. The concert will salute veterans with a special medley titled “Salute to the Armed Forces,” which features the themes of each of the five branches of the services. The chorus also will perform other patriotic songs, and refreshments will be served.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].