The 35th annual Miami Lakes Veterans Day Parade will take place on Sunday, November 9, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Bull Run Road and Ludlam Road (N.W. 67 Avenue) and will head south on Ludlam Road.
Spectator grandstands will be located at Main Street and Ludlam Road. The parade will turn east on Eagle Nest Road and proceed north to Main Street and then turn west to the Miami Lakes Government Center parking lot. Free parking will be available at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street.
All participants will assemble between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. along Bull Run Road, north of Main Street. Parade participants will include Mayor Wayne Slaton and the Town Council, bands from local high schools, sports clubs, a variety of scouting units, and many more.
Miami Lakes resident Alejandro “Alex” Sanchez has been selected to lead the parade as Grand Marshal.
In 2003, Sanchez voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy to fulfill his civic duty of serving his country. He served onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), a nuclear aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Virginia.
Petty Officer Sanchez was deployed in September 2006 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom where he earned several recognitions including the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Sanchez concluded his time in the Navy as a Second Class Petty Officer.
He continues to serve his community as the current vice chairman of the Miami Lakes Veterans Committee.
Sanchez is helping returning veterans find his/her way in the transition from military to civilian life by guiding them through the Veterans Affairs Hospital and helping to identify potential job matches.
In February 2015, Sanchez will be organizing a Career Fair for veterans.
Immediately following the parade, a special ceremony will be held in front of the Veterans Memorial at Town Hall to honor Sanchez and all Miami Lakes veterans, including the presentation of a folded flag.
All veterans are welcome to participate and should contact Clarisell De Cardenas at decardenasc@miamilakes-fl.gov, or by phone at 305-512-7133 in order to be included. Visit the town’s website at www.miamilakes-fl.gov/events for more information.