Coral Springs honors local veterans with banner ceremony, invites public to Nov. 11 Veterans Day event

Coral Springs officials presented commemorative banners to dozens of local residents who served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces during a hometown-heroes recognition ceremony that included brief remarks from veterans and family members.

The program, introduced by the mayor, recognizes service members by displaying banners across the city. The mayor invited the public to the city’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Park, saying typical turnout ranges from about 80 to 140 people but expressing hope for higher participation this year.

The mayor (name not specified) opened the event by recognizing former Mayor Roy Gold and describing the banner program as “a way to acknowledge and honor those that help protect and defend us.” The mayor introduced the first honoree as Naya Ewan and called the honoree’s parents to the podium; the parent said, “Our daughter is currently serving, second lieutenant in the United States air force in Italy. She is very grateful to be serving our country and to be representing our great city of Coral Springs, and she had the opportunity actually to visit home when the banner was up, and she was very, very touched by this, token of appreciation by our city.”

Leola Harrell, identified by officials as an Army veteran, accepted a banner and told the audience she served for 30 years, saying, “to be honored here today is a great honor, and we really, really appreciate this.” Hiram Harel (branch confirmed as Army in the program exchange) thanked the city and recalled attending veterans’ breakfasts, noting he joined the service shortly after the Vietnam era.

Christopher Drinthe (Navy) and Karen Bligeon (Army), who also works in the city building department, each accepted banners. Bligeon described enlisting as a teenager and later being surprised when her banner appeared: “Never thought I would see me up there. So after this was posted, I went to my church on a Sunday, and my pastor said, we have a hometown hero.”

Officials and Frank, introduced as the city’s former city manager, presented a banner to Kenneth “Kenny” Leach, a Navy veteran who works at the country club. Leach described his service in the submarine force during the Vietnam era and said he once fired a fleet ballistic missile in 1972: “I was in during the Vietnam War. I won in a raffle. We sailed off of Cape Canaveral, and I got to fire a million dollar missile in 1972.” His son thanked the city and encouraged other veterans to participate in veteran programs and trips the city supports.

Officials also named several veterans who were not present to accept banners and asked veterans in the audience to stand or wave for recognition. The ceremony closed with thanks to the veterans and their families and a reminder about the Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance at Veterans Park.

The ceremony focused on public recognition and appreciation rather than policy or decisions; no formal votes or actions were recorded during the event.