For the 20th Year, Marion County Students Will Run the County's Official Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11

On Veterans Day in Marion County, the people at the microphone are mostly kids. For the 20th year in a row, Marion County Public Schools will present the county's official Veterans Day Program, and hundreds of students from 19 public schools will lead it, take part in it and fill the audience. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, which the district lists at 2601 SE Fort King St. in Ocala.

The program is open to the public, according to the district's Nov. 3 announcement, and the district has two pieces of advice for anyone planning to go: arrive early because parking is limited, and bring a lawn chair because bleacher seating is limited too.

AI-generated illustration. Not a photo of the Marion County ceremony.

Students on stage, from the pledge to the essays

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Danielle Brewer opens the program. From there, much of it belongs to students. Student musicians from Reddick-Collier Elementary, Belleview Middle, Belleview High and West Port High perform live, and students from Hillcrest School lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Student writers from Hammett Bowen, Jr. Elementary will read essays recognizing veterans for their service. The school is named for Marion County's only Medal of Honor recipient, the district notes, which gives those essays a particular weight at a ceremony like this one.

The inspirational speaker comes from inside the school system as well. William Ruge, a military veteran who works at East Marion Elementary School, will share a veteran's perspective.

A salute, a flyover and a flag between ladder trucks

The Ocala Police Department's Honor Guard leads the event and fires a 21-gun salute. Gold Star families, along with other military families who have lost loved ones in service, will present a wreath in tribute to the local veterans who gave their lives. The district says the ceremony also includes a vintage airplane flyover and other patriotic salutes.

Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue will also jointly display a giant American flag between their ladder trucks.

If you are going

• When: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at 11 a.m.


• Where: Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park; the district lists the address as 2601 SE Fort King St., Ocala.


• Cost: The district invites the public and does not list an admission charge.


• Bring: A lawn chair, since bleacher seating is limited, and plan to arrive early for parking.

The ceremony is also on our events calendar. For the rest of the day, including the evening Veterans Day Memorial Concert at the Reilly Arts Center, see our Veterans Day in Ocala guide, and for restaurant offers, our list of Veterans Day free meals in Ocala. Veteran-run companies are gathered on our veteran-owned businesses page.

Source: Marion County Public Schools news release, "Students To Present Official Marion County Veterans Day Program," Nov. 3, 2026. Checked Nov. 5, 2026.