SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida National Cemetery wrapped up its annual Veterans Day ceremony in Bushnell Thursday morning. The cemetery is one of the largest veteran's cemeteries in the country.
It is a time-honored tradition at Florida National Cemetery (see map). More than 100,000 veterans are buried there and a very large crowd of young and old, most with a military man or woman in the family tree, took part in the ceremony.
It was a tribute that stirred the heart. Several hundred people, most from Central Florida, traveled to a heavily-wooded corner of Sumter County to honor the men and women in uniform who serve this country.
"The 11th day, of the 11th month, at the 11th hour," Catherin Carroll of the Joint Veterans Committee said.
Special ceremonies to mark Veterans Day have been held at Florida National Ceremony for 20 years running. Many of those who attend have loved ones who are laid to rest there. More than 6,000 were buried on the grounds last year alone.
"Not just today, but every day, every chance they have to thank a veteran, they should thank a veteran," Lieutenant General Robert Milligan said.
Also in honor of Veterans Day, Florida is offering veterans free admission to state parks on Thursday. Veterans will be able to get into almost any state park, including Blue Springs State Park in Volusia County. The state also recently started offering veterans discounts on annual state park passes.