The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host Military Family Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Landing Park in downtown Fort Walton Beach. 

• The free event, presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union, honors active duty military, veterans and their families with live music, complimentary food and children’s activities.

“Military Family Appreciation Day is one of our community’s most heartfelt traditions,” said Rachelle Graves, director of special events for the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “It brings residents, businesses, and visitors together to recognize the strength and sacrifice of military families and veterans who do so much for our area.”

The event traces its roots to late October 2001, weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Held at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds with country singer Lee Greenwood, the first Military Family Appreciation Day drew thousands of attendees who gathered to honor the military community. 

Ted Corcoran, Chamber President and CEO, said the military remains the area’s top industry, making community support essential. 

• “The military is the number one business in our area,” Corcoran said. “The community is simply saying we love the largest industry in our county and Northwest Florida.”

Corcoran noted the event, which was planned before the current government shutdown, offers timely support for military families.

“It’s perhaps even more important during this timeframe to show that we love our military, our young families, and our retired military,” Corcoran said. 

This year’s entertainment features a notable connection to military history. Mischief Soul, a rock and blues band from Central and South-Central Texas, will perform from noon to 2:30 p.m. The band includes retired Lt. Gen. Brad Webb on bass guitar — the same person who appeared in the iconic 2011 White House Situation Room photograph during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Webb has roots at Hurlburt Field, where he served multiple assignments spanning more than 20 years of his 38-year Air Force career. He first arrived at Hurlburt Field in 1987 as a pilot with the 20th Special Operations Squadron and later served as Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing from 2007 to 2008. His final assignment at Hurlburt Field was as Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from July 2016 to July 2019.

Corcoran recalled meeting Webb about 15 years ago when Webb was a Lieutenant Colonel at Hurlburt Field and played in local bars — before Webb’s role in one of the most significant military operations in recent history became public knowledge.

During the May 1, 2011 operation to kill bin Laden, Webb served as Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He played a critical role in the mission. In the now-famous Situation Room photograph, Webb — the only person in military uniform — is seated next to President Barack Obama, operating the laptop that provided the live drone feed of the raid to the room.

• “When I saw the situation room picture in Time Magazine, I said ‘Holy cow, it’s Brad Webb,” Corcoran said. “It was just an amazing connect-the-dots moment — from a regular, cool guy who was here in our area to being the only guy in uniform in that iconic image.”

Seth Luttrell, Director of Operations for the FWB Chamber, said Mischief Soul performs original music and covers of artists including Godsmack, Alice in Chains, Rob Zombie and The Doors.

“They’re a fun band. They just do a good show and they’re fun to watch,” Luttrell said.

The Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music Youth Orchestra will perform from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• LongHorn Steakhouse will grill complimentary burgers on site while supplies last. Children’s activities include a Lowe’s Build Workshop and a Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance tabletop scavenger hunt. 

The event is open to all veterans, active duty military and service-connected individuals and their families. Attendees should bring chairs. The Landing Park is located at 139 Brooks Street SE in Fort Walton Beach.