Memorial Day Observances planned
Navarre:
The Navarre American Legion Post 382 will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26, at 11 a.m., at Navarre Park. Special guests and speakers include Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner Ray Eddington, USAF Veteran Mike Short, US Navy Airman Ryan Blackwell, Navarre and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism and Lynn Feehan, Gold Star Mother with Honor and Remember Flag. Following the observance, all community members are invited to join the American Legion Post 382 at 1850 Luneta Street and VFW Spectre Post 11367 at 3050 W Highway 98 for a free lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the sides and desserts.
Barrancas National Cemetery: The Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council will host its annual Memorial Day Observance, May 26, at 9 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery. Several Veterans Services Organizations (VSO), Auxiliaries and Military Units are scheduled to attend the hour-long observance, which will feature Commander, Training Air Wing Six Commodore Capt. Doug ‘Cricket’ White delivering a Memorial Day address. Additional remarks from Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency’s U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Victoria Artibee are also scheduled.
Milton:
The Veterans Memorial Plaza’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m., at 5191 Willing Street in Milton, in remembrance of the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving our country.
Veterans Memorial Foundation member Daniel Powers will open the ceremony, featuring:
- March on the Colors- Milton High School JROTC Color Guard
- The National Anthem- Milton High School Choir
- Retire the Colors- Milton High School JROTC Color Guard
- Invocation- Chaplain Victoria Smith, NAS Whiting Field
- Proclamation from City of Milton Mayor Heather Lindsey and Santa Rosa County District Two Commissioner Kerry Smith
- Guest speaker Col. Andrew Kellner, Deputy Commodore, Training Air Wing FIVE, NAS Whiting Field
- Wreath presentation by veteran organizations
- Taps- Milton High School Band
Colonel Kellner’s operational assignments include Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 from 2003 to 2006 where he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) and completed a third deployment with the 31st MEU. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines where he served as the Battalion Air Officer and deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2007. He returned to HMLA-369 and deployed again to OIF in 2008 as the Future Operations/Plans Officer and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. In 2013, he again reported to HMLA-369 and deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2014 and served as the Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer, and converted from the AH-1W to the AH-1Z.
Fort Walton Beach: Memorial Day Ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery 2025 at the Beal Memorial Veterans Tribute Tower, May 26, at 10 a.m. The tradition of remembering our Veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day continues. Guest speaker for the ceremony will be Brigadier General Mark A. Massaro who will be joined by representatives from the 7th Special Forces Group and Air Force Special Operations Command and local and civic leaders. Guests are encouraged to participate by placing floral bouquets in the Community Wreath during the remembrance of our Veterans. The inclement weather fallback site will be the American Legion Post 235 on Hollywood Boulevard. For more information contact Tom Rice at 850-302-0266 Magnolia Grill.