Longboat Key celebrates its veterans

More than 130 veterans who live, work or worship on Longboat Key celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with a quarter-mile parade.

  • By Kristen Herhold
  • | 4:47 p.m. November 11, 2015
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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“It was absolutely amazing out there. It’s a great honor to thank our veterans no matter when or where they served. They’ve done so much for us.” — Parade co-chairman Jack Rozance

More than 130 veterans who live, work or worship on Longboat Key celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with a quarter-mile parade on Bay Isles Road.

The parade, hosted by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, featured veterans from every branch and era of service and was followed by an honor ceremony at Temple Beth Israel.

This year’s parade grand marshals were Evelyn Fresch, Francey O’Brien and Shirley Beachum, who met at last year’s parade and have since remained close.

“It’s really fun to feel so special,” Fresch said. “I never knew what it was like to be a celebrity. It’s been great.”

Len and Helen Glaser
Len and Helen Glaser
Phil Smith and Syd Friedman
Phil Smith and Syd Friedman
Mike and Gail Clay
Mike and Gail Clay
Persian Gulf War veteran Brad Hoover, center, with Sunny and Rich McGrath
Persian Gulf War veteran Brad Hoover, center, with Sunny and Rich McGrath
Vietnam War era veterans
Vietnam War era veterans
Cold War era veterans
Cold War era veterans
Korean War era veterans
Korean War era veterans
World War II era veterans
World War II era veterans
Grand Marshals Evelyn Fresch, Shirley Beachum and Francey O’Brien
Grand Marshals Evelyn Fresch, Shirley Beachum and Francey O’Brien
Veterans march in the parade.
Veterans march in the parade.
Vietnam War era veterans march in the parade.
Vietnam War era veterans march in the parade.
Vietnam War era veterans march in the parade.
Vietnam War era veterans march in the parade.
Cold War era veterans march in the parade.
Cold War era veterans march in the parade.
In addition to walking, some veterans received rides.
In addition to walking, some veterans received rides.
World War II era veterans march in the parade.
World War II era veterans march in the parade.
Aaron and Doris Cushman
Aaron and Doris Cushman
Judy and Paul Achre, Tom Reese, Donald Maclean and Jim Fleming
Judy and Paul Achre, Tom Reese, Donald Maclean and Jim Fleming
Marvin Black, Harold Ronson, Bob Berns and Rich Kanner
Marvin Black, Harold Ronson, Bob Berns and Rich Kanner
Joan and Craig Propkin
Joan and Craig Propkin
Grand Marshals Francey O’Brien, Shirley Beachum and Evelyn Fresch
Grand Marshals Francey O’Brien, Shirley Beachum and Evelyn Fresch
Bob Mattia, Joe Levine and Bob German
Bob Mattia, Joe Levine and Bob German
Ed Tolhurst and Mark Sticht
Ed Tolhurst and Mark Sticht
Event co-chairman Jack Rozance with wife, Nancy
Event co-chairman Jack Rozance with wife, Nancy

 

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