ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will host its annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute at City Pier Park on Monday, May 31.
City Pier Park is located across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier.
Last year’s Memorial Day salute was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Memorial Day salute will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and conclude with the performance of patriotic music by the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra – with the chorus members not participating in this particular event. The symphonic performance is expected to begin at 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony will begin with a Marine Corps color guard and drummer marching from Roser Memorial Community Church to the City Pier Park flagpole for the presentation of the colors and the placement of a memorial wreath.
Mayor Dan Murphy will then recognize the attending members according to the military branch in which they served. Murphy will also recognize the spouses and significant others of the veterans who served their country.
Murphy is an Army veteran and Public Works Manager Dean Jones is a Marine Corps veteran. During recent city commission meetings, both men have expressed how much this event means to them personally, and to the many veterans who are part of the local community.
Volunteer members of the For the Love of Anna Maria Island community task force will hand out small American flags to attendees. Commission Chair Carol Carter is a member of that group.