President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill on November 11, 1954, to create Veterans Day to honor American veterans.  Every year, the day is recognized as important to all Americans.

Veterans Day calls for a big celebration in Cape Coral. 

“It’s an honor for Cape Coral to host the Veterans Day Parade each year, celebrating the bravery and sacrifices of our veterans,” says the City’s Senior Public Information Specialist, Kaitlyn Mullen. 

This year, the Veterans Day Parade will be held on November 9 starting at 11 am, with a route that heads west on Cape Coral Parkway from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street. The parade will go on until about 1 pm with parade staging beginning at 9 am.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to come together and honor both past and present service members,” adds Mullen.

Applications to participate in the parade close on November 1st. Local groups, organizations, and veterans wishing to join the procession​ can fill out the online application. For more information about the parade, where to park, and a parade map, visit the City of Cape Coral’s Special Events page.  

Other ways to honor our Vets include visiting the SW Florida Military Museum, now located at the Edison Mall in Fort Myers in Entrance F.  There are numerous exhibits that educate visitors, honor brave men and women, and keep military history alive. There’s also a museum store with military memorabilia, books, and souvenirs. The museum offers free admission; donations are gladly accepted. (Hours may vary from those on the website.) 

Another way to honor heroes is to head to Cape Coral’s Veterans Memorial Area on the south side of Four Mile Ecological Preserve. The area offers the Iwo Jima statue, the Iraq War Heroes monument, and the Purple Heart memorial, and more—that all recognize and honor men and women of the U.S. armed services who have served our country.

Cape Coral is a Purple Heart City and takes great honor in recognizing our Purple Heart heroes’ exceptional valor and sacrifice. The national decoration honors those who were killed or wounded because of enemy action while serving in the US Military. According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, over 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since 1782, when the award was created.