Home of the Brave
Annual Veterans Day celebration honors local service men and women
November 29, 2021
Our second annual Home of the Brave Veterans celebration began in the sky as the Patriotic Parachute Team descended over the Town Center where we gathered as a community to honor our local Veterans and their families. Their breathtaking journey to the top of the Code Wall parking garage was illuminated by red and blue flares while ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ played in the background.
The celebration continued in front of The Beacon as speakers from local Veteran groups and government officials took the stage to begin the Honors Ceremony. The event included words of admiration from Congressman Darren Soto, Marine Veteran and State Senator Victor M. Torres, Jr., Air Force Veteran and City Commissioner Jim Gray, and Orlando VA Medical Center Director Timothy Cooke.
In front of the stage, a single spotlight brought everyone’s attention to a table and chairs left empty to honor and remember fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members.
The special night of honor, remembrance, and gratitude concluded with special performances by The American Dream Singers with a medley of songs to salute each branch of the armed forces.
Nearby, guests were able to connect with veteran owned businesses and local veteran groups including the Lake Nona Veteran’s Club who co-sponsored the event with Boxi Park.
Earlier in the day, the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club hosted the inaugural Folds of Honor Cup to help raise money for academic scholarships awarded to Veterans and their families.
The tournament, which will be broadcast on the Golf Channel in December, was a five-person scramble featuring athletes, celebrities and Veterans. There were a few familiar faces on the green including pro golfer and Lake Nona resident Annika Sorenstam.
Fox News hosts Will Cain and Bret Baier also broadcast live to a national audience throughout the day. Click here to watch the news segment.
From the Folds of Honor Cup to the Home of the Brave ceremony, Lake Nona is proud to pay tribute to the military men, women, and families in our community.