Ret. U.S. Marine Col. William “Bill” Perez will lead the 2025 Miami Lakes Veterans Day Parade as Grand Marshal on Nov. 2.
Perez, 60, of Miami Lakes, chairs the town’s volunteer Veterans Committee; committee members chose him for the honor.
Perez was born in Cuba and moved to Miami Lakes in 1974, where he attended Miami Lakes Elementary School and Miami Lakes Middle School. He also attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.
He is a lawyer and holds several degrees, including in military law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree.
Perez’s 32-year career with the Marines included boot camp in Parris Island, S.C., where he later was a combat intelligence analyst and interrogator translator.
His military roles included defense counsel, teaching, staff judge advocate and command positions.
He traveled widely and at times was based in Hawaii and Japan.
Perez was deployed in 2003 to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in 2009 for Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his biography.
During his service Perez earned awards including a Legion of Merit medal; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars and a Combat Action Ribbon.
Perez retired in 2015. His community service includes volunteering with the Mental Health Task Force; serving as vice commander for American Legion Post 144 and Chancellor of the Knights of Columbus Council 4772.
His only foray into local politics came in 2022 when he ran for town council. He did not win a seat and said then that he would not run again.
Perez also teaches kids about civics and American history with his non-profit corporation, Veterans Story Hour.
The 46th Annual Miami Lakes Veterans Day Parade will step off from Bull Run Road at 10 a.m. It will travel south along Northwest 67 Avenue before turning northeast on Eagle Nest Lane, then west on Main Street, finishing at Miami Lakes Town Hall.
Spectators can watch from anywhere along the mile-long route.
Marchers will include veterans from all eras and wars; law enforcement; high school marching bands; dance groups; beauty queens; community organizations and Star Wars characters.
At the stage on Main Street, dance groups and martial artists will perform.
When the parade is over Perez, as Grand Marshal, will deliver a speech in front of Town Hall.
Veterans will then be treated to a private lunch with elected officials inside Town Hall.
Drivers should note that Main Street, New Barn Road and Eagle Nest Lane will be closed to traffic that morning.