City searching for veterans

The city of Sarasota would like to pay special tribute this year to the heroic men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan at the annual Memorial Day parade in downtown Sarasota.

An invitation is being extended to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to be the first civilian unit in the parade.

Those that can help locate Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in the area should contact Jerry Derrick at 861-2899 with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee and arrangements will be made. Other participants in the parade will include veterans’ service organizations, law enforcement agencies, marching bands, color guards, fire departments and more.

The theme for this year’s Memorial Day ceremony is “A Nation Forever Grateful.” The keynote speaker will be Scott Bill, a local builder, whose son Brian gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan last August. Brian Bill was among 22 Navy Seal Operators who died in the largest single day loss of life for the Navy Seals in its history. Brian was highly decorated with four Bronze Star Medals with Valor, a Purple Heart and two Combat Action Ribbons.

The parade, which is held in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will start at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28. The annual event will begin at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and will continue Sarasota’s longstanding history of honoring military personnel.

At the conclusion of the parade, a ceremony will be held at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue. The ceremony is expected to begin at approximately 11 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend.