DeLand, Florida
Patriotism Runs Deep
Every Day
We Represent the Patriotism of
Small Town America
Welcome to DeLand where patriotism runs deep. We
take every opportunity that we can to honor our heroes,
military and public safety, and involve our community every day. Our city seal represents the American
spirit of faith, hope & charity, and our celebrations, museums, parades, charity events, non-profits and citizens
reflect this in an ongoing basis.
We have included just some of the reasons why DeLand
is the Most Patriotic Town in America. We hope you
enjoy your visit with us.
We Proudly Display the
American Flag
Each federal holiday volunteers from three
different local Rotary Clubs line the streets of
Downtown DeLand with 104 flags in a
moving display of patriotism.
The DeLand Naval Air Station
Museum
DeLand is proud to have been a Naval Air Station during World War
II. Navy pilots and gunners trained in DeLand to dive bomb using the
SBD Douglas Dauntless aircraft from 1942-1946. The DeLand Naval
Air Station Museum was started in 1992, on the 50th anniversary of
the opening of the base. The DeLand Naval Air Station Museum is
dedicated to preserving our military history for the DeLand community, its visitors and for future generations so they may realize the sacrifices made for their freedoms. This year marks 70 years of Naval Air
history in DeLand.
2012
Commemorating 70 Years of Naval
Air History in DeLand
The DeLand Naval Air Station
Big Band Hangar Dance
Each year locals are given the
chance to step back in time for a
night. Started during WWII, the
DeLand Naval Air Station Big
Band Hangar Dance is a tradition
that continues 70 years later.
“Boys” and “girls” in uniform turn
out to dance the night away to
classic tunes of that era played by
a Glenn Miller-style jazz ensemble.
The Volusia County Veterans Day
Parade
Every year the courageous men and women of our
armed forces are honored in a heartwarming parade
through Downtown DeLand. The parade kicks off with
an incredible flyover with 16 vintage military aircraft. It
then features veterans of all branches of service, as well
as military vehicles, marching bands and patriotic floats.
Volusia Honor Air
Volusia Honor Air is a joint effort between the three Rotary Clubs of DeLand with the mission to extend our
deepest appreciation and gratefulness
to our WWII heroes for their bravery
and sacrifice by escorting as many
ambulatory World War II veterans as
possible to the new World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., at no
costs to those veterans.
Two flights are taken each year. The ninth of these flights returned
from Washington DC on May 19, 2012 with 100 WWII veterans.
Planning is under way for the tenth flight in September.
Fewer than 2 million World War II veterans are still alive and one veteran dies
every 90 seconds, according to the National World War II Museum. It is believed there will be no more living World War II veterans by 2036.
Defending Freedom Warrior
Weekend
Wounded Warriors are brought to DeLand each year for a weekend
packed with activities to honor them and raise money for the Wounded
Warrior Project. During the weekend the warriors are introduced to
adaptive sports such as golfing and skydiving in an effort to raise support and awareness for all soldiers injured in recent conflicts. The
weekend culminates in a huge block party in Downtown DeLand.
The African American
Museum of the Arts
Juneteenth Festival
Juneteenth symbolizes the ending of slavery in America and is an opportunity to honor African American heritage. Just as the Fourth of
July is recognized by all Americans as Independence Day, for many
African-Americans Juneteenth has come to symbolize freedom.
The African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand celebrates
Juneteenth each year with a music festival and community exposition. It features live music, storytelling, food, crafts, song and dance.
A highlight from this year’s festival was the Community Mass Choir
directed by Stan Whitted featuring renown opera singer, Andre Solomom-Glover.
We are Home to Seven Different
Veterans Organizations
Two American Legion Posts
One VFW Post
Two AMVETS Posts
One Marine Corps League Detachment
One Military Officers Club
There are 70,000 Veterans in Volusia County
DeLand Cultivates the Leaders
of Tomorrow
School of Government
The mission of the DeLand Area School of Government is to
provide relevant hands-on and comprehensive training to selected
DeLand High School students who have expressed a strong interest in the study of government and political science.
Students participating in this exciting 7-month course gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each facet of
municipal government; and explore the interrelationships between the municipal, county, state, federal, and judicial branches
of government. The students are encouraged to attend one City
Commission meeting and one County Council meeting. In addition, a two day trip for the students to Tallahassee is coordinated
during the annual legislative session.
Leadership West Volusia
The goal of Leadership West Volusia is to develop a group of people who will
provide ongoing leadership in the community. The program provides opportunities
for potential leaders to meet with today's leaders to gain a better understanding of
issues and challenges facing our community. It also provides educational opportunities to strengthen the leadership and communication skills of participants. Leadership West Volusia is not an action or advocate group; rather, it is a program designed to help the community meet the challenges of the future by assuring welltrained and knowledgeable leaders.
Florida City Government Week
This annual event, held in October, serves to highlight the crucial role played by
city government in the lives of its residents. The week provides a special time to
teach about municipal government issues and to develop city-school partnership
programs.
We are the Proud Home
of a National Guard
Unit & Armory
1st Battalion 265th Air Defense Artillery
DeLand Celebrates America Year
Round
January
New Year’s Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade - Celebrating the life and work of Dr. King
February
Washington’s Birthday/Presidents Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Leadership DeLand Begins
March
DeLand Bike Rally Honors Veterans in Opening Ceremonies
April
Defending Freedom Warrior Weekend (Honoring and benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project)
May
Volusia Honor Air May Flight
Memorial Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
DeLand Memorial Gardens Memorial Day Service Honoring Fallen Veterans
Bill Dreggors Park Memorial Day Service Honoring Fallen Veterans
June
Flag Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
African American Museum of Arts Juneteenth Festival commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States
July
Independence Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Victoria Park 4th of July Parade
Stetson Baptist Church 4th of July Extravaganza (odd numbered years)
August
Hot Summer Nights Great American Car Show
September
Labor Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Patriot’s Day Celebration featuring tributes to those lost on 9/11, our troops, fire departments, police departments & their families
Volusia Honor Air September Flight
School of government begins
October
Columbus Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Florida City Government Week
November
Veterans Day - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park
Volusia County Veterans Day Parade
DeLand Naval Air Station Museum Big Band Hangar Dance
Thanksgiving - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
December
Christmas - Rotary Club of DeLand volunteers line Downtown DeLand streets with 104 Flags
Ongoing
Every Thursday the DeLand Rotary Club opens each meeting with a moment of silence for members of our armed services