First Baptist postpones Veterans Day ceremony

This year’s Veterans Day celebration  Friday in Apalachicola has been rescheduled, while the one on  St. George Island is on, as is the one Monday in Eastpoint.

On Friday morning, Nov. 11, Veterans Day,  the First Baptist Christian School of Apalachicola’s program has been cancelled, and rescheduled to Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. 

The event will feature a special program in honor of all veterans, from all branches of the service, including those still serving, those who have given their lives, and the POW/MIA soldiers. 

The names of those who died in our community for our country will be read out loud to honor them. All veterans, widows of veterans, and their families and our community are invited to attend this special program. 

Guest speaker this year is Mrs. Le Anne Carroll, daughter of Gene Boone, retired Marine and National Guard (1975-97) and wife of Bobby Carroll, retired Navy (2000-07). 

The program will be held in the First Baptist sanctuary at 46 Ninth Street in Apalachicola.

The St. George Lighthouse Association, in partnership with SGI Veterans Reveille Group and the 106th American Legion in Apalachicola, invites everyone to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony in St. George Lighthouse Park on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on Nov. 11, honoring military veterans – all persons who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year’s ceremony will feature a special guest, Retired Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing, of the US Navy, and former CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. The Franklin County High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard will provide color guard services.

Hoewing served for 35 years in the Navy as a naval aviator flying missions from aircraft carriers at sea. He commanded an F/A-18 squadron, a combat logistics support ship, an aircraft carrier, a carrier strike group, and the Navy personnel command. In his final naval assignment, he served as the deputy chief of naval operations for manpower, personnel, training and education where he was responsible for the growth and development of all active and reserve Navy men and women.

Following his career in the Navy, Hoewing was selected to become the president/CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at the museum, where he was instrumental in developing and implementing the National Flight Academy, America’s premier science, technology, engineering and mathematics education program. 

Upon retiring from the Foundation, he served as senior advisor strategic initiatives at the University of West Florida’s Innovation Institute and currently serves as vice chairman on the Columbia Southern University board of trustees.

The public is encouraged to attend this meaningful ceremony to honor all veterans. Seating is limited, so please bring your own chairs. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Vacasa will sponsor lunch for all in attendance, provided by Dave’s Dawgs, and Collins Vacation Rentals will provide dessert and drinks. Additionally, the lighthouse will be open to everyone, with free climbs offered to all veterans.

The Franklin County Schools will host a district-wide Veterans Day program on Monday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium of Franklin County High School in Eastpoint.

The program will bring students from both the Apalachicola Bay Charter School and the Franklin County School in a program to honor all veterans in the community, with special recognition given to veterans in the 80s and 90s.

A brunch for all veterans will follow, provided by the high school’s culinary arts department.