Veterans Day | Parade to step off the holiday
Cape Coral’s thank-you to its rich veteran population is back again this year, with the Veterans Day Parade to step off onto Cape Coral Parkway this Saturday.
Marching down the parkway starting at 11 a.m. — right around the same time the armistice was signed and hostilities ended 108 years ago marking the end of World War I — Southwest Florida’s proud military and veteran community will be on full display as American flags are to be waved, red, white and blue garb worn, and military gear proudly displayed.
The route travels along the parkway on the south side heading west, from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street. The Veterans Day celebration is a cooperative effort of the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation and local community volunteers.
“In a continuation of the 250th anniversary of America, our new flag and flagpole we have in Cape Coral, the awesome 4th of July — now it’s a chance to celebrate all the people that served this nation and serve the nation currently in a great parade,” said city Special Events Coordinator Todd King.
“This is the only parade in Lee County. It’s well attended, and we’re excited to put it on. We’re always excited to recognize our veterans and the sacrifice they made. It’s always an honor to put on a fabulous parade for our veterans.”
Veterans Day is a designated national holiday to honor all of the men and women who have served across all spectrums of the United States Armed Forces and to commemorate their sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we have today as Americans.
More than 20 local veterans and organizations representing various branches of the military will fill Cape Coral Parkway, along with countless members of the community who want to show their support.
According to the most recent U.S. Census numbers, there are 15.7 million veterans in the country, representing 5.9% of the total civilian population age 18 and over.
This year’s grand marshal is Gordon “Gordie” Allam, who served in the earliest years of the Vietnam War from 1958 to 1962.
Allam was bestowed the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
For the last 24 years, Allam has been a member of the VFW Honor Guard, both in Southwest Florida and in Pennsylvania. Over those years, he has provided more than 600 hours of service for hundreds of veterans and their families. Allam has been the last interaction that families have with other veterans, doing so with grace, humility and professionalism.
With Cape Coral being a Purple Heart City, King said Cape Coral is the perfect place to host a Veterans Day parade.
“We’re built on veterans,” he said. “We have a lot of great things here for our veterans, and recognizing them is just icing on the cake.”
King added that for those who have never attended, the parade is one not to miss, especially for young people.
“Each generation needs to understand what it means to serve,” he said. “I think recognition of veterans helps young people see that they’re not forgotten, they’re important, and that we will always honor them.”
Parking can be found at Big John’s Plaza, at 1215 Cape Coral Parkway E.; old Military Museum parking lot, at 4280 Leonard St.; Iguana Mia Parking Lot, at 1027 Cape Coral Parkway E.; and Club Square, at 4635 Southeast 10th Place.
Road closures will be in place for the Veterans Day Parade from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Midpoint Madness/Veterans Day 5K
The Midpoint Madness/Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk will close the Midpoint Bridge from 6 to 9 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The race starts at 6:30 p.m.
The 3.1-mile night race begins and ends at the Fort Myers side of the Midpoint Bridge, taking runners out and back to finish at Royal Palm Square. Proceeds will benefit the Fort Myers YMCA Financial Assistance Program.
Motorists are encouraged to use the Cape Coral Bridge or the U.S. 41 and Business 41 bridges as alternate routes. Lee County Department of Transportation has placed message boards to alert motorists of the closure.
For information about the annual Veterans Day event, contact the YMCA of Southwest Florida-Fort Myers at ymcaswfl.org. Pre- and post-race activities will take place at the Fort Myers YMCA of Southwest Florida near the start/finish line at 1360 Royal Palm Square Blvd.
To sign up to enter the race, visit runsignup.com.
For more information about the Lee County Department of Transportation, visit leegov.com or email traffic concerns to LeeTrafficTOC@leegov.com. For questions regarding the bridge closure, call 239-533-9400.
Razzle Dazzle Veterans Day Reception
Razzle Dazzle Boutique invites the community to an all-day Veterans Day reception on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to honor local veterans and one very special member of the Razzle Dazzle family: store manager Yolanda (Sangiovanni) Edwards, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who is celebrating her first anniversary with the boutique.
Guests can stop by any time during the day for cookies and punch, thank a veteran, and congratulate Edwards. Every veteran will receive 20% off their purchase on Veterans Day, and veterans who sign up for the Razzle Dazzle mailing list while in the store will receive 10% off all year long. Military ID or proof of service is requested.
Edwards is the daughter of Razzle Dazzle owners Ralph and Cathy Sangiovanni, who have proudly owned and operated the boutique since opening its doors in downtown Cape Coral in 1990. She joined the family business last November after retiring from 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Army in 2023 and serving an additional two years as a U.S. Army Civilian deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian.
“We could not be prouder of Yolanda,” said the Sangiovannis. “She spent 30 years serving our country, and having her here at the store with us has been a true blessing. In just one year she has become a huge asset to our team. Our customers love her, our staff looks to her, and she brings the same leadership and heart to Razzle Dazzle that she brought to every command. Celebrating her this Veterans Day means the world to our family.”
Edwards enlisted in the Army as a corrections specialist in January 1993 and served in a variety of positions in the Military Police Corps, rising to branch chief for corrections before earning her commission through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in December 2003. Her assignments took her to Fort Benning, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, West Point, South Korea, Kuwait and Italy. She deployed as a company commander with the 67th Military Police Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008, and as a plans officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. She concluded her military career as commander of United States Army Garrison at Fort Benning before retiring in 2023.
Her awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. A native of Long Island, New York, she holds a degree in resource management from Troy University and a master’s in leadership and management from Webster University. Edwards’ husband, Robert Edwards Jr., is a retired U.S. Army command sergeant major. Together they have seven children and 11 grandchildren.
“Serving in the United States Army for over 30 years was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Edwards. “The military taught me the true meaning of leadership, discipline, commitment, and, most importantly, service to others. Although I have retired from active duty, I believe that service doesn’t end when you take off the uniform. It simply takes on a new meaning. I’m proud to continue serving in a different way by being part of my family’s business, connecting with our community, and embracing this next chapter of my life. After 30 years of serving our country, it is truly special to come home and serve alongside family and the amazing ladies of the Razzle Dazzle family.”
“We would love for everyone to join us on Veterans Day,” said Cathy Sangiovanni. “Come honor our veterans, enjoy some cookies and punch, and help us welcome Yolanda to the Razzle Dazzle family.”
Razzle Dazzle is at 1335 Cape Coral Parkway E., in the Big John Shopping Plaza.
Brotherhood Of Heroes Resource Center & Military Museum
Jason Jones and 92.5 FOX News will broadcast live for Veterans Day from 6 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Brotherhood Of Heroes Resource Center & Military Museum in Cape Coral.
Open to the public, the event will spotlight veterans from World War II to the present.
“This will be an appropriate way to honor all our veterans who have served our nation,” organizers reported. “The museum and the team at FOX News will roll out the red carpet to honor these men and women.”
Jones is the host of the morning radio show “Daybreak with Jason Jones.” It will be his second appearance at the museum.
Breakfast will be served at no cost.
“If you know of a veteran or have a family member who has served, we encourage you to attend this special day,” organizers reported.
“If you have not had a chance to visit the museum, this will be a perfect opportunity,” they added.
Parking will be available in the rear of the museum.
For more information, contact Chris Cammarota at 239-738-6288.
The Brotherhood Of Heroes Resource Center & Military Museum is at 4522 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral.
Military Heritage Museum to honor veterans with special ceremony and day of recognition
The Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda is inviting the community to join in honoring the men and women who have served the nation during its Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The day’s events will begin with a special Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Gulf Theater, featuring guest speaker Chuck de Shaw, a 12-year United States Air Force veteran with Top Gun pilot training.
Following his military service, de Shaw enjoyed a 35-year career as a commercial pilot and currently serves as a flight simulator instructor at the Military Heritage Museum. In 2025, he received the prestigious FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing more than 50 consecutive years of safe flight operations, professionalism, and aviation expertise. Throughout his career, de Shaw has accumulated 25,000 flight hours.
Also included in the ceremony will be the presentation of Quilts of Valor to six local veterans to honor their service and sacrifice for our country.
The celebration will continue throughout the afternoon with special presentations, documentaries, and opportunities to explore military history.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see inside the museum’s Huey helicopter with docent-guided tours.
In recognition of their service, all veterans will receive free museum admission on Wednesday, Nov. 11. General adult admission is $18, and admission for children ages 5-14 is $5.
The Military Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of those who have served, ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made in defense of our nation.
The Military Heritage Museum is at 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda
For more information, visit militaryheritagemuseum.org.
Bonita Springs
The Veterans & Valor event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m.
The event is touted as an evening where patriotism comes to life in a joyful celebration of the nation’s heroes featuring Lee Greenwood, legendary voice of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” retired Lt. Col. Allen West and Ira Dean, chart-topping country artist.
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is at 5001 Coconut Road in Bonita Springs.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting supportanddefend.org.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com