Veterans Day Ceremonies Honor Those Who Served

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Northwest Florida honored veterans yesterday with parades and ceremonies across the region. At the Pensacola Veterans Day ceremony, retired Navy Captain Lee Hansen—the first woman to command a Navy air wing—served as keynote speaker. The ceremony also honored Vietnam War "Dustoff Pilots"—named for the dirt and debris their helicopters kicked up during rescues. These medevac crews extracted an estimated 900-thousand wounded soldiers between 1962 and 1973, flying into hot zones where they had just a one-in-three chance of survival. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves presented a proclamation recognizing their bravery and the Congressional Gold Medal they received in 2024. Meanwhile, parades and celebrations were held throughout Santa Rosa County, Pensacola Beach, and across the Panhandle.