Friday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday that commemorates those who have served in the US military. Check out these upcoming events happening in and around Lakeland that honor the 60,000+ veterans that call Polk County home.
12th Annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 a.m. | Heritage Baptist Church, 4202 Pipkin Creek Rd. | Free for veterans | Enjoy a breakfast buffet with other veterans hosted by the Rotary Club.
Bartow 2022 Veterans’ Hometown Heroes | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11:11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | Free for veterans and one guest, $25 for others | Veterans and local civic club members are invited to this luncheon.
Veterans Day Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Park, 701 W. Lime St. | Free | Celebrate the unveiling of the new Spanish-American War Monument to the Buffalo Soldiers before a parade through downtown Lakeland starts at the RP Funding Center at 11 a.m.
Friends of Freedom Veterans Day Luncheon | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Cleveland Heights Golf Club, 2900 Buckingham Ave. | $50 | Hear from keynote speaker Dr. Aundrea Matthews, President Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, and recognize the artists behind the Buffalo Soldiers monument.
Lakeland Magic Military Appreciation Night | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free for active duty military, veterans, and first responders | Active duty military, veterans, and first responders can bring their military ID to the box office for free admission with the purchase of a ticket.
Plan ahead for the Flight to Honor Mission 8. Veterans can apply to fly from Lakeland Linder International Airport to Washington, DC in April 2023 to visit memorials dedicated in their honor. Want to support the cause? Apply to be a guardian and accompany a veteran on the mission.