Things to do over Memorial Day weekend

Winter Garden Memorial Day Service – Featured speaker is Jerry L. Hagan of the Orange County Sheriff's Department and retired Navy Master Chief. The event features a roll call of veterans, placement of wreaths, patriotic songs and refreshments. The memorial begins at 8:30a.m. and is located at Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Avenue in Winter Garden.

Veteran's Day Ceremony (Merritt Island) - This event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway in Merritt Island. The event features guest speakers, honor guard, Viera High School Band and the JROTC color guard with a 21-gun salute plus a catered lunch.

Woodlawn Memorial Park Ceremony – Located at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road in Gotha, the event begins at 10 a.m. and will feature rifle volley, Taps and a tolling of the replica Liberty Bell in memory of the dead of all wars. Guest speakers are former Florida House of Representative member Dick Batchelor and Army Col. Vincent F. Malone.

Orange County War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony – This event is located at the Orange County Courthouse, south side, 425 N. Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will speak. Keynote speaker will be Cap. Warren Hudson, United States Navy, retired.  The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Veteran's Day Ceremony (Titusville) - American Legion Post 1 of Titusville will host a laying of the wreaths ceremony at 10 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park in Titusville.

Lake County Memorial Day Tribute – Located at Waterfront Pavilion, 330 Third St. Lake Minneola in Clermont beginning at 11 a.m. Sponsored by the Tomoka Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), I.W. Hatcher, Jr. South Lake Marine Corps Detachment and VFW Post #5277.

Memorial Day Parade (Melbourne) - The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on New Haven Ave. near Helen St.  Staging starts at 9a.m.

Amvets Post 2006 Memorial Day Ceremony - The ceremony and lunch will start at 11 a.m. at 500 N. Canal St. in Leesburg.

Memorial Day Observance – The ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post 286, 529 E. Fairland Ave. in Pine Castle. The event begins at 1p.m.

10 ^th Annual Cocoa Riverfront Park Memorial Day Tribute –  A parade through historic Cocoa village beginning at 5 p.m. ending at Riverfront Park. Guest speakers and various veterans' organizations will be on site for presentation and patriotic music. A special flag-folding ceremony, period costumes, entertainment and more will take place. The park is located at 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa.

Memorial Remembrance Service - Music will be provided by Daytona Beach Concert Band.  Parking at the Casements, Fortunato Park and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.  Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach.  Free. 386-676-3241. 9AM

Brevard County Veterans Memorial Center – Traditional and touching ceremony.  Keynote speaker is Army MG John Cleland (ret.)  Viera High School Band and Rockledge JROTC will perform.  Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, 32952.  Free picnic afterwards courtesy of Chic-fil-a of Merritt Square Mall.  9:30 a.m.

Zellwood ceremony at Conquest Cemetery near the intersection of Yothers Road and U.S. Highway 441 near the entrance to Zellwood Station. The theme this year will be "Remember the Maine." This was the battle cry during the Spanish-American war. As is traditional, the grave of each veteran buried at Conquest Cemetery will receive a flag and flowers. The Rev. Edwin Rose will deliver the message and music will be by the Rev. Darrell Reid. 10 a.m.

Deltona – Memorial Day service sponsored by Veterans Community Education Partnership and Deltona Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery.  Memorial wreaths at the Memorial, presentation of colors by area veterans and affiliated community organizations.  Deltona Mem. Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd., Orange City.  Free.  386-775-4260. 10 a.m.

Port Orange – VFW Post 3282 host the ceremony.  Veterans Park across the lake from Port Orange City Hall, 1000 City Center Circle.  Free.  386-506-5936 10 a.m.

The city of Apopka and VFW Post 10147 will host a ceremony at Edgewood-Greenwood Cemetery off Highland Avenue and Monroe Avenue. Food and refreshments will follow at the Apopka Community Center/VFW, 519 S Central Avenue.   Speakers will be Steven R. Deviese, Mayor Joe Kilsheimer.  Special music provided by Pastors Doug and Roger Bankson.  Traditional cerelony with wreath, patriotic songs, color guard, release of doves, and Boy Scout Troop 211 will present the flags. 11 a.m.

Melbourne – Ceremony with the Massing of the Colors, music provided by the Melbourne Municipal Band and others.  Liberty Bell Memorial Museum, 1601 Oak St., Melbourne.  Free.  321-727-1776 11 a.m.

"One Nation Under God" Christian patriotic program with live music, video presentation, and meal.  Free but donations gratefully accepted.  Presented by "By your Side Ministries" in Winter Garden.  6:30 p.m.

Lake Nona VA Hospital dedication – Tues May 26 – HURRAY!  This long awaited Ceremony starts at 10am and VA Secretary Bob McDonald will be attending to provide the keynote address.  Ceremony includes music from the local VFW band.  Plan on arriving early to allow for time.  The dedication will culminate a week of special events, including a day for Veterans, the media, and our stakeholders as well.  Lake Nona Campus of Orlando VA Medical Center – 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827.  Public Affairs office – 407-599-1301.

Florida Governor's Veterans Service Award Presentation – Wed May 27 - Florida National Guard Armory, 2809 South Ferncreek Avenue, Orlando, 32806. 9:30am ceremony .  Monthly medal ceremonies in other Florida cities are planned, but the schedule for the remainder of the year has not been released. ARRIVE EARLY and REGISTER TO RECEIVE A MEDAL ON SITE - BRING PROOF OF YOUR MILITARY SERVICE (ie: DD214). For more information, visit the FDVA website at floridavets.org/gvsa/ Info:  Steve Murray at murrayr@fdva.state.fl.us