ORLANDO, Fla. – The City of Orlando’s annual Veterans Day Parade celebrated its 26th year with a significant change of scenery, as for the first time, the event was held in Lake Nona, drawing large crowds and renewed appreciation for local veterans despite ongoing concerns over the government shutdown.

Thousands lined the avenues Saturday for the parade’s debut in the fast-growing Lake Nona community, home to the Orlando VA Medical Center. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the decision to relocate the downtown tradition was made in partnership with the city’s veterans committee.

“Our veterans committee thought it’d be a good idea to move it out to Lake Nona. Traditionally, it’s been in downtown, but we have this great VA Hospital and the presence of all the veterans that come here to Lake Nona,” Dy

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