Board reviews Memorial Day highlights and seeks ways to refresh Veterans Day ceremony
July 29, 2025 | Oldsmar, Pinellas County, Florida
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Board members reviewed Memorial Day highlights and spent extended discussion on planning for Veterans Day, focusing on ways to keep the ceremony meaningful while introducing small changes that would make the event feel more celebratory and engaging for veterans.
Members said Memorial Day went well, citing a keynote by Colonel Parker, a Battlefield Cross presentation by Tony Gross, a bagpiper and musical elements, and logistical support from park staff and volunteers led by Karen Lehi. Board members noted that portable fans improved comfort at the event and praised facility and park staff for maintenance and new benches.
For Veterans Day, the board explored options to refresh a roughly five-minute segment during the ceremony — not the keynote — and suggested greater outreach to the VFW to contribute program ideas or provide a color guard. The board discussed clearing membership-drive or promotional material from that segment and keeping on-stage content focused and community-centered. Members also discussed practical changes: recording ceremonies (for example, using a tripod and posting to YouTube later), simple lighting for podium speakers, and coordinating with the MacDill Public Affairs Office for a speaker.
Board members said they want Veterans Day programs to feel celebratory rather than somber and suggested asking local veterans what would make them look forward to attending. Several members volunteered to reach out to VFW contacts; newly recommended board member Edward Prince — who said he is affiliated with VFW Post 12186 — was identified as a potential contact for planning. The board plans to revisit and finalize Veterans Day programming during its September meeting.
Members also raised minor maintenance concerns at Veterans Park and nearby benches, including surface rust on bench bases and washed-out sand at Mobley Bay Park after recent hurricanes; they suggested staff follow up on cleaning, repainting, and sand replacement as needed.
No formal votes or policy changes were taken on the Veterans Day planning item; members described next steps and named tentative liaisons to coordinate with veterans groups and city staff.
Members said Memorial Day went well, citing a keynote by Colonel Parker, a Battlefield Cross presentation by Tony Gross, a bagpiper and musical elements, and logistical support from park staff and volunteers led by Karen Lehi. Board members noted that portable fans improved comfort at the event and praised facility and park staff for maintenance and new benches.
For Veterans Day, the board explored options to refresh a roughly five-minute segment during the ceremony — not the keynote — and suggested greater outreach to the VFW to contribute program ideas or provide a color guard. The board discussed clearing membership-drive or promotional material from that segment and keeping on-stage content focused and community-centered. Members also discussed practical changes: recording ceremonies (for example, using a tripod and posting to YouTube later), simple lighting for podium speakers, and coordinating with the MacDill Public Affairs Office for a speaker.
Board members said they want Veterans Day programs to feel celebratory rather than somber and suggested asking local veterans what would make them look forward to attending. Several members volunteered to reach out to VFW contacts; newly recommended board member Edward Prince — who said he is affiliated with VFW Post 12186 — was identified as a potential contact for planning. The board plans to revisit and finalize Veterans Day programming during its September meeting.
Members also raised minor maintenance concerns at Veterans Park and nearby benches, including surface rust on bench bases and washed-out sand at Mobley Bay Park after recent hurricanes; they suggested staff follow up on cleaning, repainting, and sand replacement as needed.
No formal votes or policy changes were taken on the Veterans Day planning item; members described next steps and named tentative liaisons to coordinate with veterans groups and city staff.
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