Lehigh Acres residents will have a pair of opportunities to mark Veterans Day here in the community on Thursday.

VFW Post 4174, in conjunction with American Legion Post 323, will hold their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park from 11 a.m. to noon on Nov. 11.

The public also is invited to join the two posts for hamburgers and hot dogs following the ceremony.

Veterans Park is at 55 Homestead Road S.

A Veterans Day celebration also will be held at the Fountain Crest Retirement Community.

The event, which will include Donna Sue Delisle singing songs to honor veterans, refreshments, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes, is set for 2 – 3:15 p.m. at the community at 1230 Taylor Lane.

Due to limited space, those wishing to attend should RSVP in advance at 239-303-4596.

Other events will be held throughout Lee County, including a parade.

In Cape Coral, its Veterans Day Parade will return this year along Cape Coral Parkway on Thursday.

It will proceed down the parkway at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11 — the same time and date the armistice was signed 101 years ago marking the end of World War I — Southwest Florida’s proud military and veteran community will be on full display as American flags are to be waved, red, white and blue garb worn and military gear proudly displayed.

Parade organizer Linda Biondi said she’s thrilled to able to once again put on the event, as COVID-19 and last year, weather, have halted the celebration in a Purple Heart City.

“This year, it’s pretty exciting, because we are going forward with the parade,” Biondi said. “It’s like everybody that hadn’t been able to do anything for the last 18 months is coming out to celebrate by either being in the parade or coming to spectate. It’s going to be awesome.

A plethora of local veterans and their organizations representing various branches of the military will fill Cape Coral Parkway, along with countless members of the community who want to show their support.

Participants will include American Legion Post #90, Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596, DAV Chapter #108, Harney Point Post #8463 VFW, Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast FL-12, Invest in America’s Veterans Foundation, Knight of Columbus Assembly 2115, The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center, United States Submarine Veterans Barb Base, Vietnam Brotherhood Bravo Company, Vietnam Vets of America Chapter 594 and more.

Also taking part will be local Boy and Girl Scout troops, high school marching bands and JROTC programs, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, Cape Coral Moose Riders, Caloosa Jeepers of SWFL, Marine Corps League/Toys For Tots, Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library, 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Amira Fox and local dignitaries.

Restored vintage military vehicles motoring down the parkway to patriotic music alongside veterans is sure to drum up a feeling of pride. The Cape Coral Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office will also take part, including a flyover from LCSO.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Petty Officer First Class Fame Academia, a U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine Veteran. He served during the end of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War and earned a Purple Heart for his service.

Born in the Philippines, Academia first served with the Merchant Marines at the age of 18 for seven years before coming to the states and joining the Navy.

There will be two sections of bleachers at Cape Coral Parkway and Vincennes Boulevard for spectators. Attendees are of course welcome to bring their own chairs and enjoy the parade.

A special addition to this year’s event will be front line healthcare workers, who are also veterans, will take part.

Midpoint Madness

If you’re not too tired after all of the Veterans Day festivities, or had to work and couldn’t get out to the parade, there’s a chance to get those feet moving and pay tribute to military members by taking part in the Midpoint Madness 5K run/walk.

The 3.1-mile race, beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, starts and finishes on the Fort Myers side of the Midpoint Bridge at Royal Palm Square, as runners will get the unique experience of crossing over to Cape Coral and back.

Registration up until Sunday is $30 for adults ($40 on race day), $25 for Youth ($35 race day) and $20 for veterans (with military I.D., $25 on race day).

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fort Myers YMCA financial assistance program.

A contrast from the usual 5K setting, this run/walk takes place at night, which may provide a “cooler” atmosphere for participants.

Winners and awards will be based on gun time and chip time. Divisions are broken down into male and female, as well as age groups. There will also be a military grouping.

Registration and details can be found at www.ftmyerstrackclub.com. Packet pickup and in-person registration can be found at the Fort Myers YMCA at 1360 Royal Palm Square Blvd. that also serves as the staging area on race day.

Military Museum Mobile Museum

The Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library invites the public to visit its Mobile Military Museum that will be appearing in the Veteran’s Day Parade. After the event, the bus will park in Club Square Parking Lot in front of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles 3957 with plans to open doors to the community from 1 until 4 p.m. The Hot Flashz will perform a special show for members and veterans of 3957 at 3. Fraternal Order of the Eagles 3957 is at 4647 S.E. 9th Place.

Gulf Coast Village Power of Gratitude Drive-Thru Lunch

Gulf Coast Village will celebrate veterans and active-duty military of Southwest Florida with a Power of Gratitude Drive-Thru Lunch on Thursday, Nov. 11, in Cape Coral.

In honor of their many services, past and present military members can pick up a complimentary meal prepared by Gulf Coast Village dining services, along with a special gift on Veterans Day.

“This lunch gives us the opportunity to celebrate all of our hometown heroes and show our appreciation as a community, so we look forward to treating them to a well-deserved meal on this special day,” said Greg Anderson, executive director for Gulf Coast Village.

The Power of Gratitude Drive-Thru Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gulf Coast Village at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral.

To sign up for a slotted pick-up time and for more information, visit GulfCoastVillage.com/Events or call 239-323-9267.

Gulf Coast Village is sponsored by Volunteers of America, a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, VOA’s ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps almost 1.5 million people in over 400 communities. For more information about Volunteers of America, visit VolunteersofAmerica.org. Founded in 1989, Gulf Coast Village is the premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Cape Coral. For more information, call 239-772-1333 or visit GulfCoastVillage.com.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Brass Band Performance

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering free admission to United States veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Free admission includes a self-guided tour of the historic homes, gardens, laboratory and museum.

To receive free admission, veterans must present a VA identification card or their DD214 papers.

As a special treat for veterans, a five-piece brass band from Brass Music Elements will perform at the Banyan tree from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

With admission, families can view the “Birds of Southwest Florida” exhibit in the Caretaker’s House, which features multiple illustrations from John James Audubon, along with quotes from the Edison and Ford families. The 15,000-square-foot museum is filled with hundreds of Ford’s and Edison’s inventions; numerous examples of phonographs (Edison’s favorite invention); antique cars, including Edison’s personal 1916 Model T; and the Timeline of Innovation, a chronological timeline of both Edison’s and Ford’s inventions.

Another highlight is the botanic research laboratory, a National Historic Chemical Landmark. In the lab, visitors get to see original test tubes and machinery that Edison used to test more than 17,000 different plants in his quest to find a natural source of latex. Some of the trees and plants that were tested are still on the property today.

In the gardens, visitors can see hundreds of trees and plants from all over the world. Because of the warm climate, many plants bloom during the fall and winter months when visitors and snowbirds are in the area. The botanical gardens consist of 20 acres with more than 1,900 plants from 750 different species — not counting short-lived plants. The site also is home to five trees on the official Florida Champion Tree Register, which recognizes the largest-known tree of each species in the state.

Listening to the historical narration on the app, visitors can learn about two of America’s most famous inventors within a botanical garden setting. The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. For tour times, tickets or additional information, visit the website at www.edisonford.org or call 239-334-7419.

Wounded Warriors

The Louisville Slugger Warriors invites the public to attend a free community event to hear from wounded U.S. military veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The event will be held at the Hyatt Place Coconut Point, Estero at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 12.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, these inspirational and decorated veterans from across the country will share personal, compelling stories about their military experiences in Afghanistan and speak on the importance of mental health awareness and issues faced by many service members who served in combat. The speakers include:

* U.S. Army veteran Carlo Adame from Rolla, Missouri

* U.S. Army veteran Lonnie Gaudet from Brookfield, Missouri

* U.S. Air Force veteran Derrick Victor from Crestview, Florida

The event is fully sponsored by Bonita Bay resident and veteran advocate Bob Gillette.

The event will include an intimate question-and-answer session with the veteran speakers. Attendance is limited and available by RSVP only. To RSVP, email lswarriorsgm@gmail.com. Donations received from the event will help the Louisville Slugger Warriors continue to provide awareness of veterans causes and provide life transforming opportunities for veterans.

Launched in 2017 and funded by donations, the Louisville Slugger Warriors is a local nonprofit organization based out of Estero and has the only nationally sponsored amputee baseball team. The LS Warriors National Amputee Baseball Team consists of U.S. military veterans, wounded warriors and current and former amputee college baseball players. These highly skilled athletes come from all walks of life. They have sustained a loss of a limb, eye, or digits or a limb deformity due to congenital, disease, or trauma-related causes. For information about the organization, team or sponsorship levels, or to make a donation, please visit lswarriorsteam.org or contact David Van Sleet at lswarriorsgm@gmail.com.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj