VETERANS DAY at the MILITARY HERITAGE MUSEUM
Punta Gorda, Florida, October 8, 2025: A full day dedicated to honoring our Veterans will begin at 10:00 a.m. on November 11, 2025, at the Military Heritage Museum located at 900 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida. There is no charge for the Veteran’s Day ceremony which starts at 11:00 a.m. It will include patriotic music, Color Guard, and a Veteran tribute video. The Peace River Quilters Guild, along with the Museum, will present Quilts of Valor to six local veterans recognized for their outstanding “service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”  Quilts are made and donated by the Peace River Quilters Guild.
 
Our featured guest speaker at the ceremony is SGT Mike Bernicchi, Florida Army National Guard. Bernicchi is a lifelong resident of Charlotte County, a dedicated teacher, and a retired veteran of the Florida Army National Guard with statewide activations for Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. His overseas deployments include tours in Iraq, Qatar, and Syria in support of the Global War on Terror. His work in the community includes founding Veterans Initiative for Therapeutic Arts, Inc., serving as a Board Member for Peace River Community Housing Partners and raising money for multiple local charities. Currently a U.S. Government Teacher for Charlotte County Public Schools, Mike's passion for serving the community is at the heart of everything he does.
 
On November 11, 2025, a free hot dog lunch will be provided from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. for the first one hundred guests. Cockpit tours of the Huey helicopter will be available on the front lawn from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A HAM radio station will be in the P-51 Club from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Documentaries: “Veterans Day: A Celebration of our Nation’s Military Service” will be shown in the Gulf Theater at 1:00 p.m. A 3-D movie, Journey to Space, a history of space flight, will be shown at 2:30 p.m. in the Training Center. The American Soldier, A Photographic Tribute will be shown in the Hall of Heroes at 3:00 p.m.
 
Admission includes gallery tours, exhibits, flight simulators, and virtual reality. There is no charge for the Veterans Day Ceremony taking place at 11:00 a.m. The Military Heritage Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For further information, please visit www.militaryheritagemuseum.org. or call 941.575.9002.
 
 
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