Celebrating, remembering those who served

In honor of those who have served in the United States military – both active and retired – several events have been planned in Santa Rosa County and the Blue Angles Homecoming Show.

Blue Angels

The Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will close the 2011 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12.

In addition to the scheduled Friday and Saturday shows, there will be a special night show beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 only. Aircraft will light up the sky with full afterburner and pyrotechnics.

Admission and parking for all shows is free. Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.

Security personnel and signs will direct spectators to parking areas near the show site.

Additional information on the show, bleacher, box and Flight Line Club seating and FAQs can be obtained on-line at http://naspensacola-mwr.com.

GINS: Fee-free weekend

In honor of America's Veterans, Gulf Islands National Seashore will join national parks across the country in celebrating Veterans Day with free entry into the park.

The fee free period will include the entire Veterans Day weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 11 – 13. All visitors who arrive during these dates will be allowed to enter the Seashore free of charge.

Entrance fees are currently charged at the Perdido Key and Fort Pickens Areas of the Seashore. Camping is available at Fort Pickens. All sites are $20 per night with water, electricity, grills/fire rings, and picnic tables. Reservations can be made by calling Recreation.Gov at 877-444-6777, or through the website at www.recreation.gov. Walk-ins will be accepted on a space available basis. Park visitors are reminded that the fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping or reservations.

American Legion

American Legion Post 382 in Navarre will hold its annual Veteran's Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Navarre Park.

The ceremony is always held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the World War I Armistice and has evolved to commemorate all veterans of all conflicts. Wreaths will be presented in their memory and the famous poem "Flanders Field" written by John McCrae will be read aloud.

The ceremony is a joint effort between the American Legion, VFW Post 4407 in Gulf Breeze, Navarre Elks Lodge and VFW Spectre Post in Mary Esther. This year VFW Spectre is commander of ceremonies.

Navarre High School JROTC cadets will be participating in the ceremony again this year and special certificate presentations will be given to World War II veteran Russell Wilby to Molly Zima.

After the ceremony in the park, American Legion is inviting the community to its post across the street for a flag retirement ceremony. People can bring in unserviceable flags to the post to be properly disposed. A cook out with hamburgers and hotdogs will follow.

Veterans Day Parade

Santa Rosa County residents are encouraged to honor those that have served our country in the armed forces by participating in local Veterans Day activities. The annual Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Veterans Community Planning Committee is scheduled for Nov. 11. Incoming NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Coughlin will serve as both the parade grand marshal and ceremony keynote speaker.

• Veterans Day Parade, 9:30 a.m.

The parade begins at Milton High School parking lot and ends at the Santa Rosa County Veterans Memorial Plaza located at 5178 Willing Street, Milton. Organizations wishing to participate in the parade at no cost are asked to contact Ralph Nesenson at 850-626-7292 or 850-313-6637.

• Veterans Day Ceremony, 11 a.m.

Ceremony in front of the Santa Rosa County Veterans Plaza with city and county proclamations, keynote speech by Capt. Matthew Coughlin, laying of wreaths and rifle salute follows the parade. A Veterans Day Picnic hosted by Santa Rosa County 4-H and a brick dedication for new additions to the Veterans Memorial Plaza will follow the ceremony.

In the event of severe weather, the Veterans Day Ceremony will be held in the Milton High