Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

By Ian Swaby
| 4:45 p.m. November 11, 2025

Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.

Sarasota
Neighbors

James Williams, a Korean War veteran, wasn't accustomed to being involved in events such as Sarasota's Veterans Day Parade and ceremony.

However, Williams, who turns 93 next month, said his many nieces and nephews led him to become part of that morning's events.

"It means a lot to me to be recognized," he said. "It never happened to me before."

Hosted by the city of Sarasota and the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, the parade brought together various local organizations and clubs, government departments, and schools.

A ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park, where the keynote speaker was Mike Bennett, a former Florida legislator and Manatee County elections supervisor, and current Sarasota City Commission candidate, followed it.

He spoke about the need for continued appreciation of Veterans Day and what it represents.

"So many people don't understand that Veteran's Day is more than just a day off work, it's more than a day off school, it's a day to remember all of the people that gave so much, and oftentimes, everything, in protection of our country," he said.

Rafaello Fainelli, 8, watches the parade.

Junior Kyla Woodard, sophomore Lindsey Quandt, senior Yasmin Shehadeh, and sophomore Haley Quandt, Sarasota High School's marching band, gather together.

The drum line of Sarasota High School's marching band gathers together.

Miniature cars from Sahib Shriners make their way along the route. Front to back: Frank Metheny, Billy Payne, David Walters and Mark Nelson.

Kindergartener Henry Schaefer helps out Venice Middle School with a banner.

Officers with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office lead the parade.

Explorer, underwater filmmaker and former U.S. Army combat medic Scott Cassell enjoys the parade from a submarine.

Bikers make their way along the parade route.

Beth Mager and Donovan Schultz applaud as students from Sarasota High School walk by.

Sarasota Military Academy students walk in the parade.

Sarasota High School's marching band heads along the parade route, with junior Kyla Woodard in front.

Cheerleaders from Booker High School march in the parade.

Students from the Early Care Center at First United Methodist Church Of Sarasota watch the parade.

Korean War veteran James Williams (center) rides in the parade with his nephew Carson Ward, 7, and Taylin Saunders, 6.

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences appears on the parade route.

Army veteran Amanda Kraft and her daughter Emma Green, 6, ride in a jeep driven by Maria Guardado-Villagran. The vehicle honors Guardado's friend Jonathan Winterbottom, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

Walking with St. Mary Academy were Dylan Scheufler, Vivian Scheufler, 8, and Jade Scheufler.

Kindergartener Henry Schaefer (front) helps out seventh graders Dominic Shattuck and Mailin Kirchherr, of Venice Middle School, with a banner.

Jan Solomon leads the invocation with students from First Sarasota Montessori Academy.

Megan Ronan sings "The Star Spangled Banner" during the ceremony, standing beside Mike Bennett and Darrell Butler. Butler, the Chief Veterans Service Officer with the Sarasota County Government, took over from Sonny Bywaters, who had held the role for 45 years.

Carlos Moreira presents Rob Kehs, male veteran of the year, with a medal.

Carlos Moreira presents Jessica Hughes, female veteran of the year, with a medal.

Carlos Moreira presents Matt Fonville, owner of Fonz Heating & Air in Bradenton, with the Veteran Supporter of the Year award.

Tutti Kennedy (left) and Kathy Davidson, present a quilt to Mike Bennett, as Darrell Butler looks on.

Former Florida legislator and Manatee County elections supervisor Michael Bennett was the keynote speaker.

Danny Alendar and Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, play "Amazing Grace."

Taylin Saunders, 6, Danny Bilyeu, Caycen Ward, 6, and Carson Ward, 7, stand beside one another as Bilyeu plays Taps.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.