Veterans Day parade steps off to patriot-lined streets
By CASEY BRADLEY GENT2 min read
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This year’s Grand Marshall, Capt. Petros “Pete” Kurkimilis officially kicked off the blocks-long parade showcasing service vehicles, motorcycles and marchers. Kurkimilis, 98, is a veteran of three wars, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Kurkimilis, then 15 and an orphan, lied about his age to join the Merchant Marine at the start of World War II.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
Casey Bradley Gent
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The Lee County Sheriff Office’s helicopter made passed over the parade route.
the Lee County Sheriff Office’s helicopter made its first low pass over the parade route.
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape.
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The Lee County Sheriff Office's float was popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno’s traveling float was equally popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek.
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more. Casey Bradley Gent
Casey Bradley Gent
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more.
Casey Bradley Gent
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year oldJordan Menic and mother Carina were among those you tuned out to watch the parade on Saturday.
year oldJordan Menic and mother Carina
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Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade, 2025, in the South Cape. The parade had a large turnout, with all ages turning out to see floats, marchers and more.
Casey Bradley Gent
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Michele McCarl was among those who showed their patriotism Saturday.
Michele McCarl
Warm temperatures Saturday sent the Cape Coral community searching for shade but the summer-like heat did not prevent people of all ages from lining Cape Coral Parkway for the city’s Veterans Day parade.
At 11 a.m., 4-year-old Jordan Menic shuffled his feet with excitement as the Lee County Sheriff Office’s helicopter made its first low pass over the parade route. Then a walking procession of local veterans followed by this year’s Grand Marshall, Capt. Petros “Pete” Kurkimilis officially kicked off the blocks-long parade showcasing service vehicles, motorcycles and marchers.
Kurkimilis, 98, is a veteran of three wars, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Kurkimilis, then 15 and an orphan, lied about his age to join the Merchant Marine at the start of World War II.
In 2022, Kurkimilis was awarded the distinguished Congressional Gold Medal for his military service.
Parade onlookers — veterans, neighbors and children alike — applauded as the car carrying the war hero crept along Cape Coral Parkway.
Michele McCarl vigorously waved an American flag.
“I am here supporting the most important part of our society. Our freedom,” she said.
McCarl was joined by her husband, Tim, who is a Navy veteran.
Carina Menic, Jordan’s mother, shared that for all of her son’s 4 years, the two have never missed the Cape Coral Veteran’s Day parade. “We definitely come to see the trucks,” Menic said. “But we also are here to support our military – they are this nation’s real superheroes.”
While the sheriff’s helicopter garnered plenty of enthusiasm from on-lookers — repeatedly flying low and hovering above the crowd – Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno’s traveling float was equally popular. The float sported a gigantic blue wave, a helicopter model and a smoke machine that left local kids running alongside for one final peek.
Proud grandmother Debbie Bradley arrived early to watch this year’s Veterans Day parade. She said her grandson is 17, and that he was participating in the parade with ROTC.
“Our family are all Marines,” Bradley added with pride.
She said she had been coming to Cape Coral’s annual Veteran’s Day event for more than a decade.
