A series of events, including the annual Veterans Day Parade, are planned to celebrate the Veterans Day holiday on Monday.
The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto. It will finish at 11 a.m. at Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto.
Brad Smith, a decorated Navy veteran who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, will deliver the Veterans Day address at Sutton Park after the parade. Smith served in the Navy from 1961 to 1985 and retired with the rank of commander.
Smith’s military awards include two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and others.
The Manatee County Veterans Council and the City of Palmetto are co-sponsors of the parade.
Government offices will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday, but the School District of Manatee County will use Monday as one of its hurricane makeup days.