The Bay area will honor veterans and active-military men and women with two weeks of parades, documentaries and ceremonies. Here's a sampling of events occurring now until Nov. 15.
Veterans Day Ceremony • Nov. 3 • 10 a.m. • USF Tampa, Marshall Student Center (MSC), Ballroom A
Rear Admiral John Kirby (U.S. Navy Ret.), Spokesperson for the Department of State, will give the keynote speech at the kickoff for Veterans Week at the University of South Florida. Kirby retired from the Navy in May 2015 with the rank of Rear Admiral and was appointed as the Spokesperson for the Department of State. Free. usf.edu.
U.S. Foreign Policy in a Turbulent World • Nov. 3 • 1-2:45 p.m. • USF Tampa, Patel Center for Global Solutions, Room 138
USF invites the public to participate in a conversation about global security, featuring Rear Admiral John Kirby (U.S. Navy Ret.), Spokesperson for the Department of State. Free. usf.edu.
Veterans: The Telling Project • Nov. 4 • 7 p.m. • Tampa Theatre
If you missed the spring premiere of these stage performances, now's your chance to see an advance screening of the documentary. Telling Tampa Bay features performances by six Florida veterans and one military spouse. In each performance, veterans tell how and why they served, the injuries and challenges they've faced and their journeys as they transition back to civilian life. The Florida Humanities Council and WEDU PBS will premiere a one-hour public television documentary about the veterans' experiences telling their stories on stage. Get free tickets. tampatheatre.org.
Sixth Annual Chili Cookoff • Nov. 4 • 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • USF Tampa, MSC Amphitheater
As part of the Tampa campus' Veterans Week celebration, come vote for USF's top chili chef. usf.edu.
Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade • Nov. 7 • 10 a.m. • Hanley Road between Barry Road and Paula Drive, Tampa
The 22nd annual parade will celebrate Honoree Kenneth F. Horner Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, author of MIA Missing In Action: Thirty Five Months of Survival as a Guest of Emperor Hirohito. During World War II, Horner was captured 600 miles behind enemy lines in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. He was MIA for 35 months. This parade will honor him and all veterans. Free. veteransparade.org.
VETSports Parade and Beach Volleyball Gulfport Open • Nov. 8 • 11 a.m. • 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport
Salute war heroes with a parade down Beach Boulevard, then stay for the beach volleyball tournament. Join the competition with a four-person team of your own for $20 per player (civilian teams must have two men and two women on each team; this does not apply to VETSports and the Gulfport police and fire departments). Winners get a trophy and are also dubbed “King of Gulfport Beach.”
Bay Pines VA Veterans Day Ceremony • Nov. 11 • 10 a.m. • 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines
Join the Bay Pines VA in honoring our American heroes. The VA ceremony, held outside, will include guest speakers, a performance of Taps, a firing salute and a display of military vehicles. The Florida Orchestra, conducted by Michael Francis, will play three pieces in an outdoor performance. The Keswick Christian high school band and choir will also perform. Free.
Armed Forces Salute (Side-by-Side with Keswick Band)
Stars and Stripes Forever (TFO alone)
1812 Overture (TFO alone)High school bands will also play. Free.
Veterans Day at the Dali • Nov. 11 • 11 a.m. • The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg
The Dali will have a moment of reflection to honor those who served, the CENTCOM color guard and a wish tree ceremony. Visitors may add their wishes to the wish tree using red and blue ribbons. The museum will also have a care package drive and invites guests to bring comfort items to send to deployed military. All veterans and active duty military will be admitted free with one guest. Please being valid ID. Learn more.
Veterans Day Celebration at 3 Daughters • Nov. 11 • 2 p.m. • 3 Daughters Brewing, St. Petersburg
Honor those American heroes at 3 Daughters Brewing, where live music will be showcased from 6 to 9 p.m. alongside food truck eats by M&M BBQ starting at 4. The Tango Yankee will be on tap and in cans, and the proceeds will benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation. Free.
Salute to Service Football Game: USF vs. Temple • Nov. 14 • Time TBD • Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
During the game, USF will have a presentation honoring the veterans and active duty military members who have served the United States.
Uncorked • Nov. 15 • 2-5 p.m.• Keel & Curley Winery, Plant City
Enjoy a wine tasting, light snacks and a fundraiser to help Tampa Crossroads reach their goal: to end veteran homelessness in Tampa Bay by the end of this year. $25. Buy tickets online.
