Legion Family to again lead Veterans Day observances
Across the nation, American Legion Family members will be leading or taking part in various Veterans Day commemorations, ranging from ceremonies and services to celebrations and parades.
The following are just a few Veterans Day commemorations either already conducted or planned by American Legion posts. American Legion Family members are encouraged to share their Veterans Day events with stories and pictures at legiontown.org.
California
· In Modesto, American Legion Post 74 and the Veterans Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring this year’s Veterans Day parade and ceremony. Women veterans will be honored during the event; Stanislaus County District Attorney and former Navy JAG officer Birgit Fladager is the parade’s grand marshal and keynote speaker.
· In Escondido, American Legion Post 149 and the Brothers of 6 Charities are partnering to put on the VetFest Veterans Day Parade and Festival on Nov. 11. VetFest 2022 will include a parade along Grand Avenue, and a ceremony and festival at Post 149 following the parade.
· In Pasadena, American Legion Post 13, the Pasadena Veterans Day Committee and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446 are teaming for a Veterans Day commemoration on Nov. 11 that will include guest speakers, music, the honoring of Gold Star families in attendance and a military flyover.
Florida
· In Melbourne, American Legion Post 163 in sponsoring a Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11.
· In Cocoa, American Legion Post 22 is hosting a dinner and 1930s throwback party on Veterans Day that will include a reenactment ceremony to celebrate the post’s first meeting at their present location on Nov. 11, 1930.
France
Members of the American Legion Department of France will be at the Lorraine American Cemetery for a memorial and wreath laying ceremony, which will be followed by a luncheon hosted by Post GR01 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks (ROB).
Georgia
In Dalton, American Legion Post 112 is sponsoring the city’s annual Veterans Day parade. Post 112 Commander John Wilson said he expected 60-80 participants. “The parade honors veterans, but it is not just for veterans,” Wilson told the Dalton Daily Citizen. “It’s open to anyone who wishes to honor veterans, not just to those who served.”
Post 112 and the Dalton Elks Lodge also are teaming up for a dinner for veterans at the Elks Lodge that evening.
Indiana
On Nov. 5, multiple American Legion posts took part in the Dubois County Veterans Day Observance in Holland. During the ceremony, nine living World War II veterans were honored; three were able to attend the ceremony.
Kentucky
In Bardstown, Nelson County Post 42 in hosting a ceremony on Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park that will include the local fire department providing the flag, guest speakers talking about the importance of Veterans Day and what it means to them personally. The local Air Force JROTC will provide a presentation, while its director, an Air Force veteran, is the keynote speaker.
Maine
In Camden, members of War Memorial Post 30 will take part in a veterans breakfast and then conduct a silent vigil at the Camden Village Green War Memorial. That afternoon, Post 30 will open its doors to veterans, friends and guests for its annual Veterans Day program that includes music, readings and remembrances, and more.
Maryland
· In Prince Anne, Oliver T. Beauchamp Post 94 will host a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. The post will use the ceremony to recognize and remember its most recent past post commander, Irving Ray Ford, who passed away in January. The post also will recognize its youngest members who are currently serving in the U.S. Army, Air Force and Space Force. Light refreshments will be served by Auxiliary Unit 94.
· In Boonsboro, Clopper-Michael Post 10 is conducting a Veterans Day ceremony at Boonsboro High School for the student body, veterans and guests. The Boonsboro High School band and chorus will participate, students will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks are delivered by the mayor, a Department of Maryland American Legion officer and a featured speaker. Following the ceremony, non-student attendees are invited to Post 10 for a meal and fellowship.
Massachusetts
The City of Malden and the Malden American Legion Post 69 will have a joint Veterans Day memorial service to honor all of Malden’s Veterans on Nov. 11 at Post 69.
Michigan
On Nov. 5 in Walker, American Legion Post 1111 conducted its annual Veterans Day parade along Remembrance Road. View pictures from the parade here.
Montana
In Townsend, American Legion Broadwater Post 42 will commemorate Veterans Day with a ceremony that will include the awarding of membership pins, including one 45-year member; a request for family members of veterans to say something about their veterans; and a guest speaker. The ceremony will be followed by lunch at the post.
New Jersey
· In Little Falls, American Legion Post 108 conducts a small ceremony at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 every year. A member of the post will speak about Veterans Day and mention key anniversaries in American military history. The mayor also is expected to speak.
· In Wayne, Anthony Wayne American Legion Post 174 will hold its annual Veterans Day observance with a ceremony starting at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The ceremony will take place at the Veterans Alliance Park pavilion adjacent to the post. Post 174 Commander Joseph Fricker III and other guests will give comments regarding Veterans Day.
· In Longport, John A. Kuzmann American Legion Post 469 will conduct its annual Veterans Day service at Thomas B. Reed Park at the foot of the Longport bridge. The 30-minute ceremony includes the installation of 10 memorial pavers in the walkway around the sundial monument, which memorializes important dates in American military history. Post 469 also will honor the five members of the U.S. Coast Guard who lost their lives at sea while attempting a boat rescue during a storm in March 1932. Post and Unit 469 members also will place wreaths at the monument to honor all past, present and future veterans.
New York
In Greenlawn, American Legion Post 1244 will host a Veterans Day commemoration at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Veterans, government officials and members of the public are expected at the ceremony, which has been conducted annually since 1943 by Post 1244.
South Carolina
In Edgefield, American Legion Post 30 is sponsoring a Veterans Day ceremony with American Legion Posts 154 and 222, VFW Post 6932 and the Edgefield County Veterans Affairs Office. The ceremony will take place at the Edgefield Veterans’ Memorial Park and will include a local high school Navy JROTC honor guard presenting the colors, South Carolina District 19 Commander Mark Thompson as the guest speaker, and a thank-you salute to all veterans.
Washington
In Sunnyside, American Legion Post 73 is hosting a Veterans Day program at the Jerry Taylor Veterans Plaza. Post 73 Commander Greg Schlieve will provide a brief history of Veterans Day, which will be followed by the dedication of two black granite walls that were installed at the plaza last June: a Star-Spangled Banner Wall and a Declaration of Independence Wall.
The ceremony will conclude with releasing white doves in remembrance of Sunnyside residents who gave their lives in service to the nation.
West Virginia
· In Kenova, Ceredo-Kenova American Legion Post 93 again sponsor a Veterans Day parade, one that has been taking place for more than 45 years and is one of the largest in the state. The post will host an open house following the parade.
· In Beckley, American Legion Post 32 and Beckley Parade Committee are putting on a Veterans Day parade and celebration that will be followed by school band performances.
Wisconsin
In Kenosha, Paul Herrick American Legion Post 21’s Legion Family is staging a Veterans Day celebration that will include a Flanders Field Ceremony, coffee and donuts, and lunch.