There is an immense difference between Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is generally to remember the ones who passed away in action and for those that fell on the battlefield. Veteran’s Day salutes all alive and deceased and the holiday started in 1918 at the end of WWI. It began on the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — when the war ended. Tuesday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day and the Keys Weekly honors our Veterans.
Vietnam Veteran and VFW Commodore Pete Thomas recently donated $10,000 on behalf of the VFW to fund construction of the Vietnam Memorial in Bayview Park.
“The memorial is a great thing and a long time coming. It salutes veterans from Key West that were born and raised here and served in the Vietnam War,” said Thomas.
There will be at ceremony at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. The Veterans Day Parade starts at 4 p.m. on the upper end of Duval Street and all veterans are welcome to ride on the float and Conch Tour Train. After the parade, all vet participants are invited to complimentary refreshments, free beverages and free food, at the post on North Roosevelt Blvd.
The Key West VFW is undergoing a renaissance. The facility is non-smoking and recently received a fresh coat of paint. The club hosts a fishing tournament and has planned a “casino night,” with proceeds to be split with the Navy League. The organization also has a BBQ cook-off in May, are members of Chamber of Commerce and Business Guild. The Key West VFW prides itself on playing an active role in the community and continuing to serve for the greater good of society, just as they did in wartime.
