Veterans Day 2023
Special Guest & Speaker
Veterans Day 2023
Guest Speaker Hon. Gary Bergosh
Gary L. Bergosh is a Circuit Court judge in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. He is in his sixteenth year of service as a judge. During Judge Bergosh’s tenure, he has presided over 50 civil jury trials, including complex civil cases such as Accardo v. Brown and 139 So.3d 848 (Fla. 2014), and over 100 criminal jury trials, including death penalty cases and one concerning serial killer Craig Price. Judge Bergosh currently handles civil, criminal, and family law cases, as well as presiding over the Escambia County Veterans’ Court.
Adopted at the age of twelve by a Navy Enlisted Petty Officer First Class, Judge Bergosh lived around the world as a child. Inspired to serve his country by his dad, and after working as a Teamster with United Parcel Service to pay for college, Judge Bergosh earned a commission in the United States Marine Corps in 1989. He served on active and reserve duty for 25 years at various locations around the world, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Judge Bergosh’s Marine Corps unit, the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, was deployed with the First Marine Division on January 27, 2003 to fight the nation’s war against terrorism. He served as the Battalion’s Executive Officer (XO) in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Judge Bergosh was nominated for the Bronze Star Medal and subsequently was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Southwest Asia.
During his legal career, Judge Bergosh served as a Florida Assistant State Attorney, a senior attorney with the Department of Defense Office of the General Counsel, and a Special Assistant United States Attorney. He has handled complex civil cases involving the Federal Tort Claims Act, Medical Care Recovery Act, Federal Claims Collection Act, and federal labor and employment litigation. After Hurricane Ivan demolished Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in 2004, Judge Bergosh was assigned legal review over one billion dollars in contracting and construction on the base and to advise the government on the largest mitigation project in the history of the National Historic Preservation Act. He also advised the Navy on environmental mitigation to allow for the U.S.S. Ex-Oriskany, a World War II-era Aircraft Carrier, to be sunk 24 miles off Pensacola, Florida, making it the largest artificial reef in the world.
In May 2004, the Pensacola Business Journal selected Judge Bergosh as one of Pensacola’s forty up-and-coming individuals under forty years of age (40 under 40). In November 2021, Judge Bergosh was honored by the Florida Bar Association with the Florida Patriot Award.
Then Second Lieutenant and Mrs. Carissa Bergosh were married on June 16, 1990, and are the proud parents of Alexander (22) and Benjamin (17).
Veterans Day 2023
Guest Speaker Hon. Gary Bergosh
Gary L. Bergosh is a Circuit Court judge in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. He is in his sixteenth year of service as a judge. During Judge Bergosh’s tenure, he has presided over 50 civil jury trials, including complex civil cases such as Accardo v. Brown and 139 So.3d 848 (Fla. 2014), and over 100 criminal jury trials, including death penalty cases and one concerning serial killer Craig Price. Judge Bergosh currently handles civil, criminal, and family law cases, as well as presiding over the Escambia County Veterans’ Court.
Adopted at the age of twelve by a Navy Enlisted Petty Officer First Class, Judge Bergosh lived around the world as a child. Inspired to serve his country by his dad, and after working as a Teamster with United Parcel Service to pay for college, Judge Bergosh earned a commission in the United States Marine Corps in 1989. He served on active and reserve duty for 25 years at various locations around the world, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Judge Bergosh’s Marine Corps unit, the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, was deployed with the First Marine Division on January 27, 2003 to fight the nation’s war against terrorism. He served as the Battalion’s Executive Officer (XO) in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Judge Bergosh was nominated for the Bronze Star Medal and subsequently was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Southwest Asia.
During his legal career, Judge Bergosh served as a Florida Assistant State Attorney, a senior attorney with the Department of Defense Office of the General Counsel, and a Special Assistant United States Attorney. He has handled complex civil cases involving the Federal Tort Claims Act, Medical Care Recovery Act, Federal Claims Collection Act, and federal labor and employment litigation. After Hurricane Ivan demolished Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in 2004, Judge Bergosh was assigned legal review over one billion dollars in contracting and construction on the base and to advise the government on the largest mitigation project in the history of the National Historic Preservation Act. He also advised the Navy on environmental mitigation to allow for the U.S.S. Ex-Oriskany, a World War II-era Aircraft Carrier, to be sunk 24 miles off Pensacola, Florida, making it the largest artificial reef in the world.
In May 2004, the Pensacola Business Journal selected Judge Bergosh as one of Pensacola’s forty up-and-coming individuals under forty years of age (40 under 40). In November 2021, Judge Bergosh was honored by the Florida Bar Association with the Florida Patriot Award.
Then Second Lieutenant and Mrs. Carissa Bergosh were married on June 16, 1990, and are the proud parents of Alexander (22) and Benjamin (17).
2023 Veterans Day Ceremony
A Celebration of Service Through Music, Art, & Laughter
November 11th, Veterans Day is set aside to honor and celebrate the lives and sacrifices of Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. In keeping with this tradition, The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola invites active duty military personnel, veterans, families, and all community members to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Park, scheduled for Saturday, November 11th. The Park opens and exhibits start at 9 a.m., and the ceremony starts at 11 a.m. Veterans Memorial Park is located at 200 S. 10th Avenue in Pensacola.
With guest speaker Hon. Gary Bergosh, the 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony will be a Celebration of Service! Again this year the Park will include exhibitors, food trucks, and music.
Exhibits open at 0900 with the ceremony commencing at 1100.
- 0900 Exhibits Open
- 1030 Blue Anchor Bells
- 1100 Ceremony Commencement
- Bells Toll
- God Bless America by the Massed High school Band
- McGuires Pipes & Drums
- Color Guard & National Anthem
- Welcome
- Invocation
- Annual Bud Day Award
- Key Note Speaker - Hon. Gary Bergosh, LtCol. USMC Ret.
- 12:00 Closing remarks & thank you
JOIN US
FOR THE READING
OF THE WALL
The 58,318 names engraved on the granite panels will be read aloud at the apex of The Wall South by community members, students, veterans and active duty personnel. This solemn process, which will begin on Saturday, November 5th, will continue daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Thursday, November 10 and will require over 1,200 volunteers.
To participate in the Reading, schedule a day and time by clicking the button below.
Click the link below to visit the Park's Veterans Day event page on Facebook!
The National Anthem along with other patriotic musical performances at the Park Ceremony will be conducted by:
Interested in Exhibiting?
Submit Your Inquiry Form.
COME VISIT US AT THE PARK.
On the Downtown Pensacola Bayfront Shoreline.
This evening event will include the Presentation of Colors by the USMC Color Guard, dinner, a Silent & Live Auction, and our special celebrity concert by Mac McAnally!
Dinner selections includes Sliced Beef Brisket, Chicken with Lemon & Herbs, Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon accompanied by Roasted Red & Sweet Potatoes, and a Vegetable Medley, and of course delicious Cheesecake with Strawberry Drizzle!
Join us and 300 friends for an evening of Entertainment!
Part of the Week-in-the-Park Event Series
In conjunction with Foo Foo Fest, VeteransWeek, and the Gulf Coast Arts Festival activities, Veterans Memorial Park has coordinated a week of family-friendly fun including musical performances, local art, comedy acts, and community events all leading up to Veterans Day.
More special events are being added every week, so be sure to check the Week-in-the-Park Schedule so you don't miss out on the next big thing!
Special Thanks to Foo Foo Fest for making these events possible.
Media Inquiries: To arrange interviews or for more information, please contact Veterans Memorial Park Board Member and Public Relations Coordinator Rob Gregg at media@veteransmpf.org
Week-in-the-Park Patriot Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Interested in Laying a Wreath?
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.
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.
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.