HISTORY
In 2016, the City of Madeira was the presenting sponsor of the parade and hosted a family fun day in R.O.C. Park. Along with activities for the kids, there were sponsor tents, food trucks and military vehicles on display. You could even vote for your favorite boat as they passed by.
The Veterans Boat Parade was started in 1996 by a member of the Elks Lodge #1912 in Madeira Beach, Florida. There were 13 boats in the parade.
In 1998, Veterans Don Graham and Leroy White, members of American Legion Post 273, took the helm of the parade and were able to boost the participation to over 30 boats.
Following the tragic events of 9/11/2001, the parade experienced its largest flotilla of over 90 boats. They all came to honor the Veterans of our military as well as show their patriotism during those trying times.
In 2003, Captain Warren "Shep" Shephard took over as Chairman of the parade and is still running strong with it today. Shep was a frequent winner of the parade and was a fan favorite with his decorations and patriotic music.
Two current parade board members joined Shep in 2004 to help keep up this growing yearly tradition. Barbara Strayer and Mike Griesemer. Mike took over the responsibility of "recording" parade history with his 35mm camera. Some of his photos can be seen on this website.
In 2006, the parade was graced with a flyover of F-16 fighters from the 482nd Fighter Wing out of Homestead AFB.
2008 brought on a few changes to the parade by honoring a single branch of the military each year. We started with the Coast Guard and they provided the flyover that year with a C-130 cargo plane that is used extensively in search and rescue missions as well as an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.
In 2009, the parade committee was made aware of an 87 year old Army Veteran who lived along the parade route and truly enjoyed our event. Thus the U.S. Army was the chosen branch to be honored. Captain Shep, being an army vet himself, arranged for the Army to provide a flyover from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter as well as entering a 74' LCM8 Landing Craft boat into the parade. It was quite a sight to see that huge vessel navigate the waterways of Madeira Beach and Treasure Island!
2011 brought the honoring of the Marines and a large collection of toys were gathered for the Marine's popular Christmas time charity drive, "TOYS FOR TOTS".
2012 saw the return of the popular F-16 flyover once again provided by the 482 Fighter Wing from Homestead AFB, as we honored the U.S. Air Force.
In 2010, the U.S. Navy was honored. Barbara Strayer's dad was a Navy Veteran as well as Mike Griesemer, our parade photographer. The NOSC Tampa vessel participated in carrying many active duty officers, enlisted personnel as well as reservists and vets.
2014 brought the return of the Army as the honored branch. Many of the entrants had produced Army tanks to display on their vessels. It looked like an armored column coming up the waterway that year!
In 2015, Madeira Beach opened its new R.O.C. Park by City Hall. The canal was added to the parade route and this is proving to be a great viewing area!
