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Gen. Douglas Fraser gives the keynote address at the Veteran's Day event. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

13th Army Band performs at the Veteran's Day event. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

Former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick prepares to present awards at Veteran's Day ceremony with the assistance of Thereza Teixeira of Jungle Island. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Olivia Kauffman at the Veterans' Day ceremony. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, incoming Southcom Commander Gen. John Kelly and outgoing Southcom Commander Gen. Douglas Fraser. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and wife Adele. Photo by Jeannett Slesnick

Canadian Consul General Louise Léger, Gables Realtor Jeannett Slesnick and Penny Shaffer of Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser of the U.S. Southern Command is retiring after nearly 40 years of service.

At a Veteran’s Day celebration Nov. 19 at Jungle Island, the general and other veterans were recognized for their outstanding dedication to protecting the country.

Gen. Fraser was also honored by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who commended his accomplishments in leading Southcom. Secretary Panetta described the general’s notable efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, among other acts of compassion.

As Gen. Fraser retired, he handed over command to Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, who was promoted to four-star general by the defense secretary prior to the Southcom change of command ceremony.

Since late 1999, the city of Coral Gables has owned a 4,800-square-foot home on Granada Boulevard that is leased to Southcom for its commander and family.