The City of Clermont honored United States veterans on Monday, Nov. 11 with a parade downtown and a special program at Waterfront Park. The parade began at 9 am at West Park on 12th Street, travel down W Montrose Street to 3rd Street and into Waterfront Park where the celebration continued at 11 am.
November 11 is designated as “Veterans Day” because the armistice that ended
World War I took effect on the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.” The purpose of Veterans Day is to honor the men and women who helped ensure freedom and security for our nation. It differs from Memorial Day, observed in May and honors veterans who lost their lives serving.
Mayor Tim Murry led the parade and welcomed guest speaker, Lt. Col. John Pylant, U.S.M.C. (Ret) who shared his thoughts and experiences. Highly decorated, Lt. Col. Pylant dedicated more than 20 years to the U.S.M.C., was deployed five times, and now serves as the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the South Lake High School NJROTC. The South Lake Florida Base, USSVI, Inc. (SubVets) joined forces with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5277, the American Legion Post 55, the Marine Corps League Detachment 1120, and the City of Clermont to organize and deliver the program, complete with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
