Ceremonies Honor Veterans Across Central Florida

WESH.com

Veterans Day ceremonies were held across Central Florida on Wednesday – including one that bestowed a high honor on several local men.

The ten men, who now live in Winter Park, Poinciana, Deland and Melbourne, were all part of the Normandy invasion. Sixty thousand American troops died liberating France and bringing an end to World War II. They occupy eleven American cemeteries in France.

The men accepted the highest honor France bestows on non-French citizens, induction in to the ranks of Knights of the French Legion of Honor.

Images:Veterans Day At Wekiva Elementary

Solider Killed In Iraq Honored

In East Orange County, Orlando Army Sergeant Gene Hawkins was honored at a ceremony at the Vietnam War Museum.

Hawkins was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq three years ago. He had been scheduled to leave Iraq, but stayed to train young, inexperienced troops for the battlefield dangers they faced.

Video: Ceremony Honors Sgt. Gene Hawkins

"He didn't want to leave his soldiers behind because it's like leaving younger soldiers is almost like leaving your child there," Dessert Storm veteran Ken McDermott said.

To honor Hawkins his military memorabilia will be on permanent display at the museum.

"They're keeping the memory of Gene alive along with all of the other soldiers that have been lost," Hawkins' grandmother Gwen Taliver said.

The city of Sanford also held a ceremony to remember veterans on Wednesday and Wekiva Elementary in Seminole County put on its yearly tribute to veterans. The elementary school has been hosting the program since 1986.

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