By LOIS KINDLE
lekindle@aol.com
Patriotism takes center stage in Ruskin on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Greater South Shore Chamber of Commerce presents the 48th annual Ruskin Veterans Day Parade. One of southern Hillsborough County’s longest-running traditions, the parade honors all military Veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“We do this to recognize all South Shore Veterans, especially those who served during World War II,” said Bonnie Peacock, the chamber’s executive director. “This year, six from our area will serve as the parade’s grand marshals and receive special plaques.”
They include Navy Seaman Vern Wick, Pacific Theater; Army Capt. Lloyd Grable, Pacific Theater; Army Staff Sgt. Maurice “Mo” Lanouette, European Theater; Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Del Connell, Pacific Theater; Army Cpl. Harvey Demenza, Pacific Theater; and Army Private 1st Class George Tamburello, who served in Africa and Europe.
As always, the festive procession will start at 11 a.m. at 5th Street Southeast and continue northbound on U.S. 41 for six blocks.
“We enjoy seeing U.S. 41 come alive each year,” Peacock noted. “It's a traditional, community-wide celebration of patriotism and gratitude for those who’ve helped keep us free.”
Originally sponsored by Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287, the Greater South Shore Chamber of Commerce assumed responsibility for planning and organizing the community-wide event in 2024, but hurricanes Helene and Milton forced its cancellation that year.
This year’s parade is made possible through the financial support of local attorney Chris Ligouri and State Rep. Michael Owen. Their funding essentially covered county permitting and the hiring of off-duty HCSO deputies for traffic and crowd control.
The parade includes Veterans and military organizations, pirate krewes, local businesses and nonprofit groups among its wide, wide array of participants. Earl Bush, Ruskin’s honorary mayor, will be part of the festivities.
Here's a list of the participants:
• Ruskin VFW Memorial Post 6287 Color Guard, Ruskin VFW Memorial Post 6287 Memorial Riders Group and Military Family Support;
• World War II Veterans, the U.S. Army Brandon Recruiting Station and Lennard High School JROTC;
• Ye Royal Krewe of Charlotte de Berry, Ye Royal Krewe of Henry Morgan and Krewe of Sea SaveYours;
• District of No-Mad Nation, Skyway SkallyWags Jeep Krewe, Ye Mystic Krewe of the Santa Margarita and 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Tampa Rough Riders;
• AdventHealth Riverview, Mission BBQ Riverview and Sun City Center Funeral Home;
• Sherette's Document Preparation and More LLC, the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office and Egypt Shriners;
• Ruskin Moose Lodge 813, Kids 'R' Kids Waterset and Kids 'R' Kids SouthShore
• Safe Families for Children, Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Campus, and Elite Marine Dock and Seawall;
• Junk King Tampa South, Paint EZ of SouthShore and Roamin' Oldies Car Club Inc.;
• Crown of America pageant winner Kristy Rodriguez, First Baptist Church of Ruskin and Mary & Martha House.
Immediately after the parade, the Ruskin VFW Post will host an after-party and awards presentation at 5120 U.S. 41 N, Apollo Beach. First-, second- and third-place winners, as well as Best in Show, will be chosen during the parade by a panel of judges: State Rep. Michael Owen, Hillsborough County Commissioner Josh Wostal and SouthShore Chamber president Sean Andrews.
For more information, call the Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce at 813-645-1366 or email bonnie@southshorechamberofcommerce.org/.