Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and our community has a full schedule of meaningful ways to pay tribute to the men and women who’ve served, and those still serving, our country. From all of us at The Englewood REVIEW, we want to express our gratitude to veterans, service members, and their families for everything they’ve given and continue to give.
Off the Page: The Ride of Our Lives
Author John Gronski discusses his memoir, “The Ride of Our Lives: Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Love,” on Monday, November 9, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Elsie Quirk Library, 100 West Dearborn Street. Gronski will reflect on his 1983 cross-country bicycle trip with his wife and infant son, sharing life lessons that shaped his military and business leadership career. A book sale and signing follow the presentation. The event is part of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Off the Page Literary Celebration. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 941•861•1110 or visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com.
Patriotic Concert in Honor of Veterans
The Venice Concert Band presents its opening performance of the season on Monday, November 9, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Avenue, Building 5, Venice. The program features patriotic selections chosen to honor the nation and its veterans ahead of Veterans Day. Work by local artist Wayne Ramirez will be on display before the concert and during intermission. Tickets are $17. For details and tickets, visit veniceconcertband.com.
Healing Field of Honor
Pay tribute to American and Canadian service members, first responders, and hometown heroes during the Healing Field of Honor on Tuesday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 11, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Punta Gorda, this annual commemorative outdoor display invites visitors to walk among hundreds of personalized flags along the harbor. Community members can sponsor the event or purchase an individual flag tagged with their honoree’s name for $40, which may be taken home after the event. All proceeds benefit local and international charitable initiatives through the Punta Gorda Rotary Charity & Education Foundation. To sponsor, purchase a flag, or learn more, visit puntagordarotary.org/hfoh, email [email protected], or call 941•646•8820.
Walkathon 5K Run & Walk
The Long Walk Home hosts the Walkathon 5K Run & Walk on Wednesday, November 11, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 Harbor Dr S, Venice. Held in support of veteran suicide prevention, the event features vendors, games, live music, and food. For more information or to register, call 305•399•5354 or visit thelongwalkhome.org.
Fins for Freedom
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium hosts “Fins for Freedom” on Wednesday, November 11, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mote Science Education Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Presented in partnership with the Dr. Samir M. Shafie Charitable Foundation, the event provides admission exclusively to veterans and their immediate family members in honor of Veterans Day. Veterans must be present and show valid proof of service at the entrance. Admission is free, but advance ticket reservations are required. To reserve tickets, visit mote.org/veterans. For more information, call 941•388•6683 or email [email protected].
Veterans Day Celebration
Honor those who have served during the Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, November 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. The day begins with a public ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon in the Gulf Theater featuring guest speaker Chuck de Shaw, a 12-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recipient, and museum flight simulator instructor. The ceremony also includes the presentation of Quilts of Valor to six local veterans. Afternoon programming features a Vietnam War presentation by U.S. Army veteran Robert Lockard from 1 to 1:45 p.m., followed by screenings of “The American Soldier: A Photographic Tribute” from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and “Veterans Day: A Celebration of Our Nation’s Military Services” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Docent-guided tours of the museum’s Huey helicopter will also be offered. Admission is free for all veterans, $18 for general adults, and $5 for children ages 5 to 14.
Veterans Day Ceremony & Lunch
Honor all who served during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. at Rotonda American Legion Post 113, 3436 Indiana Road, Rotonda West. The commemorative service pays tribute to veterans across all branches of the armed forces and will be followed by a complimentary lunch for all veterans. For more information, visit alp113.org or call 941•697•3616.
Veteran Family Fun Day
Veterans and their families are invited to Veteran Family Fun Day on Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Moose Lodge 2121, 3462 Loveland Boulevard, Port Charlotte. The event features a kid zone, barbecue, ice cream, drinks, games, veteran benefits information, and community veteran providers. Admission is free. For more information, call 941•815•0291.
Red, White & Brew
Operation Healing Heroes Foundation presents Red, White & Brew on Saturday, November 14, noon to 6 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. The event includes a craft beer tasting from 2 to 6 p.m. along with live musical performances by headliner Jessie G, Dave Bray, and Florida Hit Machine.
Southwest Florida Honor Flight Applications
Southwest Florida Honor Flight is accepting applications from U.S. military veterans who have not previously participated in an honor flight to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. All veterans are eligible to apply regardless of service era or location, with priority given to World War II and Korean War veterans, as well as those with life-limiting illnesses. The organization currently operates two missions per year, with applications placed on a waiting list averaging about three flights. Applications are available at swflhonorflight.org.
Other Southwest Florida Veterans & Events Planned for 2026
– On Marco Island, the American Legion will dedicate a new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Post 404 at Veterans Community Park, November 11, 2026, at 11 a.m.
– North Port’s VFW Post 8203 will host a community ceremony at Veterans Park on the same day and time.
– Fort Myers will hold the Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K, where runners cross local bridges to support area veterans.
– Florida Gulf Coast University will salute 250 local veterans, faculty, and student service members during Service & Sacrifice Week, November 9–13, 2026.
– The Freedom Waters Foundation and MarineMax Fort Myers will offer therapeutic boating on November 11 for local veterans.
– Around Veterans Day, places like Naples Botanical Garden provide free admission for veterans and active-duty members, along with other recognitions and benefits throughout the region.
In every corner of the country, and in communities large and small, people honor those who’ve put on the uniform. November 11 is a good day to say thanks, wave a flag, or simply remember the men and women who keep this country strong.
