Veterans Day tribute returns Wednesday at Tampa memorial park

The 62nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park & Museum in Tampa.

The ceremony is free and open to all ages. Hillsborough County Government announced the event salutes veterans of all eras and military branches.

The park sits at 3602 N. U.S. Highway 301, a short drive north of Ruskin on the same highway SouthShore commuters know well. Admission to the park, museum and all events is free, according to the county's volunteer page for the facility.

The 2026 program is scheduled to include a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) color guard, Veterans Council Awards, a sing-along salute to the military branches, guest speakers and refreshments, according to a Legoland Florida blog post listing Veterans Day weekend events. That post identifies Hillsborough County Veteran Community Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County as co-hosts.

Visitors can also explore the park's memorials, which cover conflicts spanning the Spanish American War through Iraq and Afghanistan. The grounds include a Gold Star Family Memorial and a Buffalo Soldiers Memorial, according to the Legoland post.

The park's full name is Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., Veterans Museum. The county describes it as a location for regional ceremonies on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Patriot Day. The facility is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The tribute is the second Veterans Day observance for SouthShore residents this week. The Ruskin Veterans Day Parade traveled along U.S. 41 on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m.

Residents who want to get involved at the park beyond Wednesday's ceremony can apply to volunteer as museum docents or event helpers through the county's online application. For questions about veterans' benefits, the county lists a Veteran Service Officer line at (813) 635-8316.

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