- November 22, 2024
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Veterans, including Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Das, received handmade cards created by students at Ocoee Middle School.
All veterans were introduced at the ceremony in Ocoee.
Sherri Gladney sang the national anthem at the start of the Ocoee Veterans Day program.
The wind ensemble at Ocoee Middle School performed a medley of patriotic songs.
The wind ensemble at Ocoee Middle School performed a medley of patriotic songs.
Veterans stood when their military branch’s song was played by the wind ensemble at Ocoee Middle School.
The wind ensemble at Ocoee Middle School performed a medley of patriotic songs.
Ocoee City Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen introduced the guest speaker, retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo addressed attendees at the Ocoee Veterans Day program and spoke about the injuries he received while on deployment.
The Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard carried a folded American flag and remembrance wreath to the veterans memorial wall following the ceremony.
Korean War veteran Tommy Ritten paid his respects to the American flag.
An Ocoee High School band member played taps to conclude the Veterans Day program in Ocoee.
Keynote speaker retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo and Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, retired U.S. Army sergeant, paused for a photo at the veterans memorial wall.
The city of Ocoee celebrated military personnel in its Veterans Day ceremony Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. Mayor Rusty Johnson, a former U.S. Army sergeant in the Vietnam War, welcomed the audience to the program.
The Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors, and Commissioner Richard Firstner, retired U.S. Navy radioman second class petty officer, led the pledge of allegiance.
Music was provided by Sherri Gladney singing the national anthem, the Ocoee Middle School wind ensemble playing several patriotic selections and an Ocoee High School trumpeter playing taps.
The keynote speaker was retired Army Staff Sgt. William Castillo, who felt the call to service after witnessing the 9/11 terrorist attacks while working at a sandwich shop in New York City. He talked about losing his leg while deployed, his struggles afterward and his discovery of bobsledding, in which he has earned several gold and silver medals.
“I don’t know where you are in your life,” Castillo said. “If you’re looking for hope … be compassionate with yourself, be patient with yourself, be the best version of yourself you can be.”
The Honor Guard placed a remembrance wreath at the city’s Memorial Wall at the conclusion of the program.
