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The City of West Palm Beach is bringing the public back to its large 4th of July event this year, after holding a virtual fireworks show in 2020.
The city is also including an annual race to the festivities that lead-up to the fireworks, and it benefits wounded veterans.
"It's a unique race. It's never been like this before. We're actually calling it the 'run to the fun'."
Attorney Bill Bone says the "Bill Bone 5K" will start at FPL's Manatee Lagoon, about 3 miles away from where the "4th on Flagler" takes place, and finish along the waterfront, where participants will be able to watch the fireworks.
Mike Durkee, Executive Director of the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, says his non-profit provide emergency financial assistance to wounded vets. They're referred to the organization by their local VA.
"We want to stop the bleeding. We want to stop the stress that is on the veteran and also on the family."
Durkee says the Relief Fund, which is based in North Palm Beach, pays rent or mortgage payments, utility bills and even helps vets get dental work done.
"We only help veterans in the state of Florida. So the money that's raised here stays here in our local area, which is really really great."
Durkee is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and says he came back "whole" but knows a lot of veterans who didn't. This is his way of giving back.
Click Here to register for the "Bill Bone 5K," which starts at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday July 4th.
Durkee also talks about an annual Independence Day event his organization holds, called the "Dive For Freedom Shark Dive."
It involves wounded combat veterans swimming with sharks.
All of the slots are full this year, but the public is welcome to attend the Pre-Party at the Bluepoint Bar & Grill in Tequesta Saturday night.
Mike talks about that and offers other ways you can help the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund in the audio player above.