Hundreds gather for Bay Pines VA’s annual Veterans Day commemoration [Video]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Hundreds of veterans and their loved ones gathered at Bay Pines VA in Pinellas County for its annual Veterans Day commemoration on Monday. The commemoration was held in the Veterans Courtyard.

“All those wars, all the veterans, just everyone that has sacrificed,” U.S. Army veteran Raymond Boor said. “It’s just a very special day.”

The annual event typically draws around 600 people. During the ceremony, Bay Pines VA leadership honored Gold Star families and the Hollins High School JROTC presented the colors. There were several musical performances, including “God Bless America” by the Keswick Christian School choir.

READ: Bay Pines VA program tailored toward health needs of women veterans

Veterans took the stage to speak, including recently re-elected District 13 congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna.

“I grew up in a situation that wasn’t necessarily the best, and the military truly became my family,” she said during Monday’s ceremony.

“I was the only female …