The sounds of patriotic music fill the air. Families wave their American flags with pride. The newest members of the U.S. Navy pledge their service to our country. These sights and sounds are what make the Veterans Day Parade in the City of Orlando such a reverent occasion.

Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council will honor the courageous men and women of our armed forces by hosting the Orlando Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Downtown Orlando.

Prior to the start of the parade, there will be a special service for 50 Navy enlistees who will take their enlistment oath to support and defend our country. As we welcome the newest members of our armed forces, we will also pay tribute to those who have defended our freedom for decades.

Mayor Dyer will lead the Veteran’s Day parade along with active duty and reserve military units. This year’s Grand Marshals will be veterans of WWII and the Korean War, as well as former prisoners of war. The Grand Marshals will be followed by more than 100 entries consisting of floats that are featured in the Gasparilla Parade in Tampa, ROTC units, honor guards and representatives from Central Florida’s veteran organizations.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR

Navy Inducts Enlistees – 9:30 a.m.
50 enlistees from The Navy’s Delayed Entry Program (DEP) will be administered the oath of enlistment by Rear Admiral Guadagnini. The enlistees are all from the Central Florida area.

Navy Band Southeast TGIF – 10:00 a.m.
The Navy Band Southeast TGIF, based out of Jacksonville, FL, is a seven-piece, New Orleans-style Dixieland group, boasting a long tradition of feel-good music throughout the Southeast region. The group’s genesis arose from their performances at various Navy commands on Friday afternoons in the “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” spirit. Navy Band Southeast TGIF along with the Navy’s rock band Pride is in Orlando as part of Navy Week 2008. TGIF will be featured in the parade and both will perform after the parade at the Classic Car show.

Classic Car Show at Post Event – 1:00 p.m.
More than 100 classic cars will be on display at the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Robinson Street. The car show will be accompanied by float displays, music by the Navy Band Southeast, a puppet show courtesy of IBEX Puppetry and much more.

65th Infantry Regiment “Borinqueneers”
The 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans, began as a volunteer regiment in 1899 and participated in WWI and WWII. It was during the Korean War, that they made their mark in military history and saw extensive combat. They later adopted the name of Borinqueneers, a combination of the words "Borinquen" (which was what the Tainos Indians called the island before the arrival of the Spaniards) and "Buccaneers." This will be the first time the 65th Infantry Regiment has participated in the Orlando Veterans Day Parade.