Clermont's new World War II museum, housed in the city's… (Tom Benitez, Orlando Sentinel )
Saturday is a big day for local war veterans. After years of planning and fundraising, two large-scale tributes to veterans will be unveiled amid fanfare and parades.
The veterans memorial at Fountain Lake Park in Leesburg and the World War II Museum in Clermont will both host openings on Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day. Organizers of both commemorative structures said war veterans deserve recognition and remembrance for their dedication to this country. Both projects have been years in the making using thousands of volunteer hours and creative ingenuity.
"We want to honor all of the veterans who fought for all of our freedoms and gave us the lifestyle we have today," said Clermont City Council member Ray Goodgame, president of the South Lake Historical Society, which is in charge of the new museum.
The museum, located at the Clermont Historic Village, is housed inside a World War II-era Quonset hut that was used to house recruits going off to war. It features memorabilia from area veterans, including dozens of handmade war vehicle models, uniform pieces and a Wall of Honor with WWII veterans who have lived or continue to reside in the area.
Goodgame said it's the only WWII museum in Lake County. The opening ceremony, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will feature local veterans sharing stories. The historic village is at West Avenue and Osceola Street.
Beginning at the same time in Leesburg, local veterans will share in an Armed Forces Day Parade featuring hundreds or thousands of bikers with the national Rolling Thunder organization and dozens of floats, military families and bands. The parade will end up at Fountain Lake Park in downtown Leesburg, where the memorial dedication will take place beginning at noon.
Don Van Beck, executive director of the memorial committee, said seeing the construction on this huge project come to fruition has been gratifying. He and fellow volunteers spent years pounding the pavement for donations and names of thousands of veterans that now adorn the memorial's granite walls. "Everybody said we couldn't get it done, but we have. It's finally going to be finished after four years of work."
Van Beck said they're still about $25,000 short of the final funding goal and are continually hoping that more veterans will come forward to be included on the 2,800-square-foot lighted memorial.
Veterans events at a glance
•Clermont, 10 a.m. Saturday: Dedication of World War II museum at the Clermont's Historic Village, 480 West Ave.
• Leesburg, 10 a.m. Saturday: Parade starting at Ninth and Main streets and ending at Fountain Lake Park. Noon: Dedication of new veterans memorial at Fountain Lake Park. 2 p.m.: Appearance by the Rolling Thunder, which will present the "Flame of Freedom" and host a "Missing Man Table" ceremony" in the Towne Square.
•GatorHarley-Davidson, Leesburg. Memorial Armed Forces Ride to The Villages Veterans Memorial, leaves at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.