By Charles Calhoun
On Top of the World invites local communities to join us on Tuesday, Nov. 11, to commemorate Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was a celebration held each year to mark the armistice that ended World War I hostilities, which took effect on the “eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918. Now known as Veterans Day in the United States, we come together as a nation to honor those who served. We hope you will join us on this special occasion.
Hosted by Veterans Club President Charles Calhoun and On Top of the World’s Recreation Department Fitness Director Leslee Stephens, commemorations begin at 7:45 a.m. with a Flag Honors Ceremony at Veterans Park Memorial followed by an 8:30 a.m. honor walk. Non-resident guests are asked to park their cars by 7 a.m. at the Recreation Center parking lot (9030 SW 99th Street Road, Ocala, Florida 34481), allowing ample time to ride the shuttle service to the event. Residents may park their golf carts on the park’s grassy surrounds by 7:45 a.m. or park them at the Recreation Center and use the shuttle bus.
Flag honors will be presented by the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard (a volunteer wartime veterans authorized to wear original military dress uniforms).
The honor walk (0.75 mile) kicks off at 8:30 a.m., heading to the Recreation Center. Participants may create an 8-inch-by-10-inch storyboard of their beloved veteran to be displayed as they trek to the Recreation Center (an event flyer available in the Recreation Center Lobby provides an interactive storyboard template).
After the honor walk, the Fun With Golf Carts Club will host a patriotic Veterans Day golf cart parade. Residents are invited to decorate their golf carts and join the parade staging in front of the dog park adjacent to the Veterans Park. A reception will be held to greet everyone as they arrive, offering refreshments, support, and guidance on how to participate in other ongoing activities.
Storyboards are to be displayed in the Recreation Center Ballroom during the event and later archived on the Marion County Virtual Veterans Legacy Memorial website.
At 8:45 a.m., On Top of the World’s Fitness Department invites everyone to show solidarity with our active-duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and space guardians by participating in a 22-count push-up challenge. Awards for fastest individual to complete 22 push-ups, most push-ups beyond 22, and most senior competitor to complete the challenge will be given out.
At 11 a.m. in the Recreation Center Ballroom, join us for presentations by a keynote speaker, Poms Dance & Cheer Squad, Dancing Divas, and Presentation of the Colors by our local West Port High School Junior ROTC cadets. We look forward to seeing everyone at these exciting and memorable Veterans Day events.
If you have any questions, please email petefeliciano352@gmail.com.
