Here's how to celebrate our heroes on Veterans Day

There are several opportunities to honor our heroes for Veterans Day this year.

The city of Ocoee will hold its 21st annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. 

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo will be the keynote speaker.

Ocoee resident Sherri Gladney will sing the national anthem. The Ocoee Middle School Wind Ensemble will play a medley of songs, and an Ocoee High School band member will play taps. 

The First Academy also will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in the Worship Center at First Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando. This year’s celebration will be highlighted by the school’s salute to Vietnam veterans with special guest decorated Vietnam veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier.

In Windermere, the Rotary Club of Windermere as planned two events Saturday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.

The first is an observance ceremony in conjunction with Mayor Jim O’Brien, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Lone Sailor Division and Family Church Windermere Campus. It takes place from 10:45 to 11:20 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in front of Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere.

The ceremony will include a flag presentation, moment of silence and musical number. The community is welcome to attend.

That evening, starting at 7, the Rotary will host the Windermere Rotary Wine & Cheese Tasting at Town Hall to benefit veterans. For tickets, visit ticketstripe.com/windermererotary.