Memorial Day ceremonies and events

Several communities in the region are planning ceremonies commemorating Memorial Day. All of those listed are on Monday, and all are free and open to the public.

Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA — Charlotte County’s official Memorial Day program is set for 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27 at the Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida at Veterans Park, 98 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda.

The program includes a presentation of colors, a gun salute, the playing of taps, and ending with “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch will speak.

Military Heritage Museum

PUNTA GORDA — A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. Featured speaker will be Anthony Bell.

The museum will be open from noon-4 p.m. There will be live ham radio demonstrations from noon-4 p.m. and Huey cockpit tours from 12:30-2:30 p.m. There will be a free hot dog lunch for the first 100 guests, from noon-1:30 p.m.

For more information, call 941-575-9002 or at militaryheritagemuseum.org.

North Port

NORTH PORT — North Port’s annual Memorial Day ceremony is set for 11 a.m.-noon Monday at City Hall, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port.

For more information, visit www.northportfl.gov/Event-Directory/Memorial-Day-Ceremony.

Englewood

ENGLEWOOD — Englewood’s annual Memorial Day service is set for 9 a.m. Monday at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road.

The ceremony will feature a gun salute, a special guest speaker and the playing of taps.

This event is free and open to the public.

Rotonda West

ROTONDA WEST — The GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club will have a brief Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday at Broadmoor Park, 646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, and to also “Walk and Remember” a veteran or veterans anytime this month for Memorial Day. This is not an organized walk, but a “personal, quiet tribute” to those who gave their lives in U.S. services.

Downtown Wellen

WELLEN PARK — Casey Church will perform under the heritage oak tree in Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Wellen Park, from 1-5 p.m. Monday. For more information, visit wellenpark.com.

Venice

VENICE — A Memorial Day ceremony is planned for 10-11:30 a.m. Monday at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice. American Legion Post 159 of Venice hosts the annual Memorial Day Service Ceremony for those who have died.

The VFW, DAV and Marine Corps league are participating. Mayor Nick Pachota will attend and present a city proclamation. People are encouraged to bring chairs to this event. For more information, visit www.venicegov.com.

DeSoto County

ARCADIA —There are two Memorial Day ceremonies set for Monday in DeSoto County.

A ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the British Plot in Oak Ridge Cemetery, 601 N. Johnson Ave. The ceremony will include an invocation, the raising of the flags of Great Britain and the Royal Air Force, with traditional songs, some played on bagpipes.

At 11 a.m., the DeSoto County Memorial Day Services is set for the south lawn of the DeSoto County Courthouse, 11 E. Oak St.

Sarasota

SARASOTA — The city of Sarasota’s annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday.

The parade will start at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and conclude at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park, at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue. A public ceremony will be held there at approximately 11 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Michael Tollerton, West Point graduate.

The parade will include performances by the Sarasota Military Academy band and participation from local law enforcement agencies, first responders, color guards, veterans’ groups, community organizations and local dignitaries.