ANNA MARIA – The City of Anna Maria will host a Memorial Day ceremony under the shade sail structure at City Pier Park on Monday, May 28 beginning at 10 a.m.
The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra is scheduled to perform patriotic music from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
“It should be a tremendous, patriotic and inspiring event. It’s all patriotic tunes and the orchestra is really looking forward to it,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said.
Rev. Ed Moss of CrossPointe Fellowship will give the invocation at 10 a.m. Murphy will then welcome and recognize the dignitaries and government officials in attendance.
Joined by a trumpeter and a bagpiper, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will present the colors and Taps will be performed. Lt. Col. Bob Johnson (U.S. Army, Ret.) – the mayor of Holmes Beach – and Capt. George Barford (U.S. Navy, Ret.) will place a memorial wreath.
Murphy, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, will recognize all veterans in attendance and their spouses and significant others.
City Pier Park is located across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier, at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard. First-come, first-served free seating will be available for about 400 people. Parking will be available near the pier and along South Bay Boulevard.
Free park-and-ride trolley service will be available near the entrance to the city at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive.