Park Community Events
Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola
The Park, known as "The Jewel on The Bay," is also host to a number of community events throughout the year and serves as a pristine backdrop for "Friends of the Park" activities supporting local, regional, and even national initiatives in education, fitness, and wellness.
Park Patriot Partner Sponsors
Past Community Events
2023
A Message from the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation President:
In 2023, Foundation President Rob Doss recorded a special Memorial Day Message for the Pensacola and Veteran Communities.
Rob Doss,
Foundation President,
Maj. USMC, Ret.
Memorial Day 2023
Hello. My name is Rob Doss; I’m president of the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation in Pensacola, Florida.
For generations, young American men and women have stood, raised their right hand, and sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. They, as young people full of life, vigor, and opportunity ahead of them, swore that oath not knowing what their country would ask of them; they simply raised their hand and said, “Take me. I’ll go.”
Rob Doss
Foundation President
Maj. USMC, Ret.
And it’s these good and honorable men and women who, through the generations for nearly 250 years, have embraced that oath with all of their energy and commitment and then have proceeded to liberate the oppressed, lift up the discouraged, and give new hope and vision to the defeated in the four corners of the earth. They’ve placed our American freedom and ideals ahead of their own personal dreams and aspirations on the loneliest and most dangerous outposts on the planet.
We know very well the answer to the question that President Ronald Reagan once posed about the heroes of Normandy when he asked, “Where do we find such men?”
We can ask the same question today: Where do we find such men and women who fought and died at Normandy and in countless other battles before and since? You know where we find them… They come from homes and communities like ours. They’re our friends, our neighbors, and our classmates. They’re our brothers and sisters. They’re our parents and our aunts and uncles. They’re our grandchildren. They’re our husbands and wives. And, they’re our sons and daughters.
Their service is a part of all of us, and we’re a part of their service. That connection is what lies behind the importance of the words we speak when we say with all sincerity, “Thank you for your service.” It’s not only an expression of gratitude, it’s also a reflection of a kindred connection that we have to their service that, while we don’t always understand it, we appreciate it. As we appreciate it, we recognize that it’s impossible to place a value on it. Afterall, how do you place a value on something for which people are willing to give everything they are and have, and everything they will ever be and have?
On Sunday, May 28 at 1 PM, the day before Memorial Day, we’ll gather again at Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to the long line of citizens who selflessly stayed true to their oaths and laid down their lives for our great Nation.
We hope to see you there.
Respectfully,
Rob Doss
Foundation President
Maj. USMC, Ret.
Ceremonies
Performances
The National Anthem along with other patriotic musical performances for the 2023 Memorial Day Ceremony were conducted by:
Special Thanks to our Major Park Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Sponsor Partner
Flags for Heroes 2023
On May 23rd 2023, Seville Rotary Club of Pensacola placed an array of flags from their military fundraising effort, Flags for Heroes, at the Veterans Memorial Park. Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation were honored to be selected as one of four beneficiaries of this effort focused on providing funds to support our military heroes, both active-duty and retired, and their families. The flags remained on display until May 30th, and were an amazing commemoration for the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Interested in having an event in the Park?
Many families, Churches, and other organizations wish to lay wreaths at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall South and other monuments as expressions of love and support of those whose names are enshrined there. During certain park events, the wreaths are announced and incorporated into the ceremony. If you would like to participate, please submit the contact form below.
Lay a Wreath Honor a Hero
COME VISIT US AT THE PARK.
On the Downtown Pensacola Bayfront Shoreline.
Do You or Your Organization Have Something to Share With the Veteran Community? Consider Being an Exhibitor at Our Next Event!
For over 30 years, Veterans Memorial Park of Pensacola has been a meeting place for local and national organizations and companies to interact with Veterans and their families. During certain Park events, we allow these organizations to host booths and exhibit their services to the community. Because spaces are limited and we need to ensure that our exhibitors share our mission of serving and honoring Veterans, The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola requires exhibitors to complete the application below.
Share Your Skills With
Veterans and Their Families.
COME VISIT US AT THE PARK.
On the Downtown Pensacola Bayfront Shoreline.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Just want to tell us how great your visit was? get in touch with us here!
SEND US AN EMAIL.
COME VISIT US AT THE PARK.
On the Downtown Pensacola Bayfront Shoreline.