Medal of Honor Recipient To Headline Cocoa’s Memorial Day Tribute Monday

By  //  May 24, 2015

parade begins monday at 5 p.m.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Mrs. Mary Morris, Sgt. First Class Melvin Morris, Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish, Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
LEFT TO RIGHT: Mrs. Mary Morris, Sgt. First Class Melvin Morris, Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish and Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Medal of Honor Recipient, Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris, will be among the many special guests in attendance at the City of Cocoa’s annual Memorial Day tribute event this Monday, May 25.

The event begins with a Military Parade through the streets of Cocoa Village at 5 p.m.

The parade then ends in the side field of Riverfront Park along Harrison St. where parade participants will display in the side field as part of the static display portion of the event from 6-8 p.m. and feature displays from various reenactment groups and Military groups.

The formal stage presentation and tribute event will begin on the main stage in Riverfront Park at 6:45 p.m. and feature guest speakers, a flag folding ceremony, 21 gun salute, playing of taps, a moment of silence and much more.

VIDEO: Melvin Morris of Cocoa Receives Medal of HonorRelated Story:
VIDEO: Melvin Morris of Cocoa Receives Medal of Honor

Special guest speakers include Major General Jonathan A. Maddux, U.S. Army and Commander Paul Nitz, U.S. Navy as well as opening remarks by Cocoa City Manager and former Army Ranger, John A. Titkanich, Jr.

The annual event is well known in the community as providing a traditional tribute to those men and women that have bravely given their lives for our freedom.

It is held in Riverfront Park, the location where two Medal of Honor recipient statues stand, Emory L. Bennett who died in combat in 1951, and Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris what was recently awarded the honor by President Barack Obama in 2014 for his valorous actions in combat in 1969.

Henry Parrish
Henry Parrish

“Having Sgt. First Class Morris attend our annual Memorial Day event is fitting,” said Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish.   

“He is a hero in our community who was just honored with a statue overlooking Riverfront Park alongside Cocoa’s other Medal of Honor recipient, Emory Bennett.  We are proud to honor these heroes and privileged to have Sgt Morris attend this important event.

“The community is invited to attend and honor what this holiday is truly about, the fallen heroes that have bravely given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.”   

For more information on the Memorial Day Tribute and Parade, please contact Lisa Moody, Leisure Services Manager at 321-635-7701 or lmoody@cocoafl.org