Army veteran Harvey Goldberg stepped away from the buffet line May 22 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall with his plate overflowing and a big smile.
He had come to enjoy food donated by McGrath's Irish Ale House, Ed's Tavern, Main Street Trattoria and Remy's to honor veterans before the Tribute to Heroes Parade at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, More than 100 veterans enjoyed the meal.
"IÂ moved here six years ago from California," said Goldberg, who lives in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch. "There is a huge difference how people respect ex-military here. People go out of their way to be nice to veterans."
While several military veterans rode in vehicles during the parade, the 80-year-old Goldberg walked the parade route down Lakewood Main Street with many other veterans. Those who rode included two 100-year-old-plus World War II veterans.
It was the first Tribute to Heroes Parade since 2019; the past two were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2018 Tribute to Heroes Parade was wiped out by rain, and that seemed a possibility earlier on Sunday, but the possible thunderstorms forecast for the region never materialized.
Michael Kanter, the owner of Lakewood Ranch Dental and a U.S. Army veteran, was the parade's grand marshal.
"This is a great event honoring vets, so this is a real honor," Kanter said.
Kanter, who has sponsored floats in the parade before, is the longest standing member of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities which organized the parade.
"This is just fantastic for the veterans," he said. "They don't get as much (gratitude) as they should."
Grand Marshal Michael Kanter, the owner of Lakewood Ranch Dental and a U.S. Army veteran, greets the crowd at the start of the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Two-year-old Jayda Brown of Parrish was loving the first parade of her life.
Harvey Goldberg says he loves Florida because the residents treat veterans so much better than in other places. He said such was the case at the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Gill Ruderman and Herman Martinez carry the banner for VFW Braden River Post 12055.
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble Conductor Joe Miller joins the group on trumpet on Lakewood Main Street.
Lakewood Ranch's Robert Batista wore just the right hat for the occasion.
Lakewood Ranch 2-year-old Erin Viaud checks out the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble with her dad, Jonathan Viaud, and her grandmother, Sarah Montemarano.
Lakewood Ranch's Ernie Swanson found a good spot along the street for his dog Scruffy to watch the parade.
Dave Daily, the grand marshal of the 2019 Tribute to Heroes Parade, leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Daily represents VFW Post 12055.
Sisters Alice Baumann and Christine Baumann say they had just moved to the area after the last Tribute to Heroes Parade was held in 2019. They say they will be back.
Dr. Michael Kanter, a U.S. Army veteran who was the parade grand marshal, says he needed a special outfit for the occasion.
The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch was represented in part by Jeff Bell, Mark Midyett, Joyce Bordao and Chuck Glazer.
Logan Hatch of the Florida Forest Service says he washed the dozer just for the parade, Unfortunately, it was too high for the streamers and had to sit it out. It has, however, helped to stamp out 10 fires since January.
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble performs before the Tribute to Heroes Parade at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
The Observer Media Group's Toni Perren and Emily Walsh join Sarasota's Dave Ruth in folding the American flag as another Tribute to Heroes Parade ends.
Besides enjoying the mascots, children received some candy and flags as well as vehicles passed.
Army veteran Ned Fishman of Eagle Trace receives an honorary ride.
John Skeen, a 103-year-old World War II veteran of the Army's 70th Infantry Division and a bronze star medalist, was honored with a ride at the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Retired Navy Chaplain Ron Babcock led a procession of veterans by reciting the war poem, "In Flanders Fields."
East Manatee Fire Rescue led off the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Bagpiper William Howard of the New World Celts was a hit with his ability to play military tunes.
Marty the Marauder always is a hit when he walks in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Veterans were treated to a free dinner and beverages at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. McGrath's, Ed's, Main Street Trattoria, and Remy's donated food.
Retired U.S. Army solder Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch enjoys an honorary ride in a Corvette during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
