Today we honor and express gratitude to the brave men and women who sacrifice their lives and comfort to protect our freedoms. Local business, attractions and organizations are joining in the salute to military with a host of activities, performances and freebies.
Cadence: Home Cadence: Home — a project of TE’A at Intersections International (Theatre, Engagement & Action), led by Vieve Radha Price, artistic director — offers an intimate, honest and compassionate glimpse into the world of four veterans recently returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tracing their collective journey to reconnect with their friends, their lovers and their losses, it offers dramatic insight into their cares, their courage and the ghosts that haunt them. Intended for mature audiences. Regularly priced tickets are $25. , 7:30 p.m. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827. Free veterans-civilian forum tomorrow at 3 p.m., also at Straz. strazcenter.org.
Largo Central Park Sunset Ceremony Just after dusk the Veterans Day Committee honoring America’s military veterans will present a ceremony that will include special music, honorable presentations, guest speakers and more. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. 587-6740, ext. 5014.
Lowry Park Zoo Military Salute In honor of Veterans Day, military personnel (active-duty, retirees and veterans) receive free Zoo admission on that day. The military member will need to show a Department of Defense photo ID at the Zoo’s ticket windows. As many as three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minors. Mon., Nov. 11. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. lowryparkzoo.com.
Dali Museum Those wishing to express gratitude to military may hang a wish of thanks on the Dali Wish Tree in the Museum's Avant-gardens. Admission to visit the museum galleries on Veterans Day is free to veterans, military, police and firefighters; and discounted for immediate family members. A midday ceremony is free and open to the public. Free admission to galleries for veterans, military, police, and firefighters with ID; accompanied, immediate family members enjoy a special rate of $11. thedali.org.
Florida Aquarium In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Florida Aquarium will be offering any Veteran, active duty, drilling reservist or National Guardsman two free admission tickets for themselves and a guest. Additional family members, up to four people, can receive 50 percent off each ticket. Veterans must present their military ID or DD214 at the time of purchasing. They can also enjoy a $1 meal at Cafe Ray inside the aquarium with their “Fish Fry” special, which includes fried fish, cole slaw and french fries. Free for military personnel; 50 percent off additional family members. Mon., Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-273-4000. flaquarium.org.
Free Food Bay area PDQ locations, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Perkins and Bob Evans are among the eateries offering free menu items to military personnel with a valid I.D. Check websites for details and requirements.
OHS Salute Attend a free Salute to Veterans concert tomorrow, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. The choruses of OHS, Osceola Middle School, Bardmoor Elementary School, Starkey Elementary School and Walsingham Elementary School will perform to honor all veterans. Choral directors for the event are Elizabeth Richter, Brenda Dannewitz, Cynthia Triffon, Nadine Johnson and Erin Kaminsky. 9751 98th St., Largo. E-mail dannewitzb@pcsb.org for info.
Veteran's Day programming on WMNF WMNF Community Radio, 88.5 FM, is hosting a special programming Mon., Nov. 11, dedicated to the Veterans in the Tampa Bay area with a focus on legal and healthcare issues, beginning at 6 a.m., at Reveille and continuing through Taps at 6 p.m. WMNF will broadcast two special call-in programs, the first one beginning at 10 a.m., to noon, then a moment of silence at noon, followed by the second one at 4:30-6 p.m. Interviews will be conducted with organizations such as Honor Flight, Liberty Manor, Hillsborough Veterans Council and many more throughout the day. The special programming will conclude with a narrated POW/MIA Table Ceremony, where the absence of those who gave their lives to our country is noted, and Taps. Free. Nov. 11, 6 a.m. 813-238-8001. wmnf.org.
VFW Unmet Needs Program From now through Nov. 30, you can donate $1 at a participating Burger Kings, and receive a pledge sheet noting support military families, and a coupon for a free Whopper or breakfast sandwich. The Unmet Needs Program assists military families who experience challenges resulting from their military service. vfw.org.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2013.