elebrated on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and invites us to pause in heartfelt gratitude for the brave soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.
As we honor the brave troops who gave their lives for our nation — and those currently serving, it’s important to recognize the strides our society has made in valuing their courage and strengthening the support systems that uphold and respect their service. But that progress wouldn’t be possible without the strength that comes from within, particularly in the bond soldiers share by supporting one another like family, long after their service ends.
For 77-year-old Air Force veteran Jim Wineland, the meaning of Memorial Day has evolved over time. When he first returned from service in 1970, he recalls the holiday wasn’t viewed positively.
“People didn’t respect what we did back then, and they were right, we didn’t do all good stuff,” said Wineland, pointing to the Vietnam War era. “When I was discharged, they told me to burn my uniform and never admit I was in the military. I was 22 years old, driving home and thinking, what did I just do? Why did I do it?”
It’s as if he put all his experiences while serving four years in the military away in a little box and locked it, pretending it never happened, said Wineland.
Still, wisdom caught up to him when his son decided to join the military, and he began hanging out with a motorcycle group who introduced him to the kind of work that made his life meaningful again.
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Michael 'Gambler' Raymond, commander for Florida’s American Legion Department./
Reconnecting with the service community by joining his local American Legion allowed him to continue doing what he loves – serving others – while also restoring his sense of pride in his accomplishments.
“Seeing what my son goes through opened that box, and I’m still unpacking everything I went through,” he said, noting that his son’s life had been in danger more than once. “All I wanted to do was ride my motorcycle, but when I joined the Legion, I felt like a person again. It brought me back to myself. Before that, I was lost – I felt like a bad person for being part of something no one seemed to respect.”
Now, Wineland is the chairman of the American Legion Riders, a motorcycle group made up of members of the American Legion who support veterans, military families, and their communities through charity rides, events, and honor missions. The group of more than 30 veterans recently made a stop at North Miami’s Post 67 – one of seven locations on their route – to raise funds for Project Vet Relief, which supports a 24-hour national suicide prevention hotline for veterans and their families.
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Jim Wineland, chairman of the American Legion Riders in Florida.
“Our mission is to help veterans when they get triggered, or when the demon is chasing them, they have someplace to go,” said Wineland.
HOLDING ON TO PATRIOTIC VALUES
The Legion’s shared mission is rooted in timeless values passed down through generations, principles forged in service and carried into civilian life with purpose and pride.
This was the case for 70-year-old Air Force veteran Michael 'Gambler' Raymond, who expressed gratitude for the values instilled in him by his late father, a World War II veteran, and is now committed to passing that same guidance and positive influence onto younger generations.
“I have this thing in my head that I just want to serve, even at 70,” said Raymond. “I wouldn’t be like this if I didn’t have the guidance from my father and old-time vets. They just had these self-sacrificing values that made a big difference in how our lives are shaped today.”
For Raymond, Memorial Day is a time to remember the battles that were fought and the self-sacrificing values that took place to achieve the freedom Americans experience today.
“I still can’t believe what went on in those concentration camps,” he said, recounting a time he visited a concentration camp in Germany to acknowledge the efforts made by World War II soldiers. “It took guys like my dad to stop all that. But my dad was never open about that stuff because of what they went through.”
Raymond also recognizes his own efforts after serving 10 years in the military.
“I got to do the neatest thing in the world, which was refuel planes, and it’s all done in mid-air,” he said.
Beyond his bold presence as part of a motorcycle group, Raymond also serves as the commander for Florida’s American Legion Department, a role that allows him to advocate for policies that empower veterans. He is particularly proud of his efforts to support the Legion’s Boys State program, a non-partisan educational program that sends about 250 high school boys to Tallahassee each year for a week to learn how the state government works.
“They walk through the halls, experience it firsthand, and it truly changes their lives,” said Raymond. “By the end, many of them see their future differently. Our goal is to shift their outlook on politics and government and help them realize they have a voice and the power to make real change.”
COMMEMORATING AND CELEBRATING
Over the years, Memorial Day has morphed from a day to honor fallen soldiers to a weekend of department store sales and the unofficial start of summer. And this Memorial Day, there are events that both salute those who died for the United States, as well as those that pay homage to the military and kick off the summer season.
Here are some local events designed for this busy Memorial Day weekend.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
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Military men assembling to begin North Miami's Griffing Park Memorial Ceremony.
Join the American Legion Post and the City of North Miami (NoMi) for their annual Memorial Day ceremony, inviting military veterans to honor the brave soldiers who will be remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
The event begins at 10 a.m. at North Miami’s Griffing Park, where there will be presentations by the North Miami Police Department Honor Guard, local veterans groups, and veterans auxiliary groups. Afterwards, elected officials will partake in a wreath laying at the park’s Veterans Monument.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
After the daytime celebrations, spirited Memorial Day revelers aged 25 and older can enjoy a night of dancing and boot-scootin’ at North Miami’s Boots on the Ground concert, held at NoMi Village from 6 p.m. to midnight
The evening will be filled with music, food, and southern charm, as attendees are encouraged to show off their best sexy and stylish cowboy or cowgirl look for a chance to win $200 in the night's best-dressed contest.
Attendees can expect to dance the night away at the Dukes and Boots concert featuring a live performance by Fresh 803, a Southern artist known for high-energy line dance hits such as “Boots on the Ground,” and a lineup of local DJs. There will also be a mechanical bull and hookah lounges.
Lawn chairs are welcome, and guests can purchase a cooler pass to bring their own drinks. Ice and cups will be provided, with a two-bottle limit per person.
AIR AND SEA SHOW
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A parachutist performing for Miami Beach's Hyundai Air and Sea Show in 2021.
A distinguished patriotic celebration featuring genuine U.S. military assets and performances returns to Miami Beach for its ninth year this Memorial Day weekend.
Miami Beach’s Lummus Park will host the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, a free, public spectacle featuring all six branches of the U.S. military, designed to uplift the American spirit and leave spectators in awe.
From noon to 6 p.m. each day, spectators will be fully engaged with offshore and air demonstrations such as soaring military jets, formidable helicopters, daring parachutists, and high-speed cigarette powerboats and jet skis featuring professional watersports athletes. There will also be performances showcasing elite special operations and choreographed missions reminiscent of “Top Gun.”
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Crowds gathering to witness Miami Beach's Hyundai Air and Sea Show in 2024.
On the ground, attendees can explore cutting-edge military technology, experience interactive activations, and meet the inspiring service members behind the action. The event also features a food court, a designated Kid Zone, and a relaxing area for families, courtesy of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Attendees are encouraged to ride-share or use drop-off services due to parking limitations, or park at the City of Miami Beach’s parking garages at 13th Street and Collins Avenue a few blocks away from the park. Those planning to attend on marine vehicles need to be aware of the U.S. Coast Guard’s safety zone covering approximately 2.5 miles off the coast where no boats or individuals will be allowed.
For more information, visit usasalute.com/event-site-map/.
BEST OF THE BEST MUSIC FEST
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The crowd at Bayfront Park's Best of the Best Music Fest concert in 2019.
Bring the family to jam for a full day of Caribbean wonder set against the buzzing backdrop of Downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park on Sun., May 25, 2-10 p.m. Going onto its 19th annual appearance, the renowned Best of the Best Music Fest comes back to Miami and invites the community to rejoice in Caribbean-style with good food, Caribbean music, culture, and good vibes on Memorial Day weekend. The festival is also hailed as a monumental occasion for Caribbean music history, having welcomed legendary reggae icons in the past and spotlighted unbeatable reggae superstar duos on stage. This year, reggae fans highly anticipate Jamaican icons Buju Banton and Beres Hammond, who will share the stage and deliver a rare historic performance. The festival also features a diverse pop, R&B, soca, and hip-hop lineup.
Tickets can be purchased at the festival’s website Bestofthebestconcert.com or on one of their ticket outlets around Florida.