LOCAL

Even in a pandemic, Veteran's Day to be celebrated in Volusia, Flagler

Jim Abbott
The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Like everything else, Veterans Day will unfold differently this year in Volusia and Flagler counties, beneath the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ROTC candidates participate in a Veterans Day ceremony in 2019 at Davies Lighthouse Park in Ponce Inlet. Events will be much different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet there will still be events to honor the sacrifices made by generations of military veterans for the sake of freedom, albeit with an eye toward social distancing and other guidelines to prevent spread of the coronavirus among those most vulnerable.

“It’s a little different,” said Sonja Johnson, community events coordinator for the City of Ormond Beach’s Leisure Services Department. The city is hosting a Veteran’s Day Drive-Thru Celebration from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, a day ahead of the official holiday, in the parking lot of the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center.

It will feature boxed lunches for as many as 250 veterans, distributed against a backdrop of patriotic décor and music. There also will be thank you cards made by members of local Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups, as well as in-person greetings from other members of the community as vehicles move slowly through the parking lot.

Typically, the city celebrates Veterans Day with dining, dancing and a live band in the ballroom of the Ormond Beach Senior Center, Johnson said. That plan was derailed by the pandemic, she said.

“Unfortunately, with everything the way it’s going and this being the most vulnerable group of people, that won’t be happening,” she said. “But we wanted to make sure we didn’t forget our veterans.”

Reservations for the free event will be accepted through Monday, Johnson said, and can be made by contacting the city’s Leisure Services Department at 386-676-3250.

Also in Ormond Beach, the pandemic has changed plans for the annual Veterans Day tribute at Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens.

This year’s event will be a “drive-in” style ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday that will unfold at a new location, in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church, 338 Ocean Shore Boulevard, at the corner of State Road A1A and Neptune Avenue.

It will feature inspirational music and speakers, including retired U.S. Army Brigadier Gen. Ernest C. Audino, a Bronze Star recipient who commanded a team of combat advisors embedded in 3rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Division of the Iraqi Army to conduct counterinsurgency operations.

Guests will remain in their cars and listen to a live simulcast of the ceremony on WSBB AM 1230/106.9 FM. The program will also be streaming on myam1230.com.

In Daytona Beach, a flag pole and American flag will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the entrance of Barracks of Hope, a veterans’ shelter at 605 N. Seagrave St.

“We’ll have a little program with music and speakers,” said Debbie Forrester, founder of the veterans’ support group Ormond Strong, which organized the event. After the program, the group will provide a pizza party for the veterans.

“We want to do what we can do safely,” Forrester said.

The pandemic has hurt the planning efforts by VFW chapters in Volusia and Flagler counties, said Jose Rosa, Florida VFW District 19 Commander, who oversees chapters in both counties.

“There are a few things happening, but it (the pandemic) is affecting us immensely,” Rosa said. “It’s very tough with any gatherings. As you know, certain cities have restrictions. From certain posts, we are not getting the membership we would ordinarily get because people are afraid — and I can’t blame them.”

Even so, scheduled VFW events include:

• A Drive-Thru Salute to Veterans from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Halifax Health-UF Medical Center, 3300 Halifax Crossing Blvd. in Deltona;

• VFW Post #4250 in New Smyrna Beach will present an honor guard at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Glencoe-Geiger Cemetery, 435 Sugar Mill Drive. It will be followed by an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Post, 2350 Sunset Drive in New Smyrna Beach.

• A Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m. Wednesday at VFW Post #8093, 351 S. U.S. Highway 17-92 in DeBary;

• A Veterans Celebration from noon-5 p.m. Wednesday at VFW Post #3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd. in Port Orange; The Post also will sponsor a Veterans Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Port Orange City Center Veterans Park;

• A Veterans Day ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday at VFW Post #1590, 1013 Veterans Court, Daytona Beach.

Other events to acknowledge veterans include the 3rd Annual Veterans Day celebration from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the First Turn restaurant, 5236 S. Ridgewood Ave. in Port Orange.  It will include the recognition of veterans by military branch and by the era when they served.

The pandemic also has contributed to cancellation of educational programs usually presented by the Veterans Museum and Educational Center. The museum also is in the midst of moving from its previous spot on Beach Street in Daytona Beach to a new home in the Disabled American Veterans building at 605 8th St. in Holly Hill.

“We really don’t have anything planned for Veterans Day,” said Bob Hawes, the center’s president. “We’re just trying to get things settled. But Veterans Day is not going to be the same because of the COVID. We had all these big plans and, of course, COVID destroyed them.”

Bob Hawes (left), president of the Veterans Museum and Educational Center in Holly Hill, adjusts military memorabilia with help from museum volunteer Vince Clarida. The museum won't be holding its usual Veterans Day programs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In Ponce Inlet, the pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of the annual Veterans Day celebration at Kay & Ayres Davies Lighthouse Park.

Instead, a wreath will be placed at the park to allow residents an opportunity to pay respects to veterans and fallen family members at any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

In Flagler County, the city of Palm Coast will join the county to honor veterans with a 10 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday at the Flagler Auditorium. Veterans and guests are then welcome to attend a barbecue luncheon at Central Park.

Both events are free, but are ticketed and require pre-registration. Registration can be made through the Flagler Auditorium or the Veteran's Service Office at the Government Services Building. Registration for the luncheon may be made through parksandrec.fun/events.