Across the nation, the American Legion Family will lead efforts to honor veterans on Nov. 11.
Wednesday, Nov. 11, marks Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918 and what now serves as a day to honor all veterans. Across the nation, ceremonies will pay respect to veterans of all wars and branches of service.
And across the nation, American Legion posts, districts and departments – with their respective American Legion Family members – will observe the day by participating in or hosting parades, luncheons, ceremonies and other events that remind their communities of why Nov. 11 is important.
In the nation’s capital, American Legion Family leadership will lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Wall. Representing the Legion Family at Arlington will be American Legion National Vice Commander Frank Peters, American Legion Auxiliary President Dr. Coral Grout and Sons of The American Legion National Commander Thomas Skelley. At the Wall, the Legion Family will be represented by National Vice Commander Roy Smith, ALA Vice President Lisa Chaplin and SAL National Vice Commander Casey Hanson.
Also, Department of New York Legionnaires will once again participate in the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade. This year, they'll be accompanied by the Humvee which is the prize in The American Legion's Drive 4 Freedom Sweepstakes. The parade takes place on Fifth Avenue between 26th and 45th Streets beginning at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Click here to find out how to watch the parade.
The following are just a few examples of what members of the American Legion Family will do to commemorate Veterans Day in their communities. We encourage all those conducting Veterans Day events to share their efforts on www.legiontown.org.
And remember – we have prepared a downloadable Veterans Day speech than can be tailored to your particular event. Click here for more details.
Alabama
In Jackson County, American Legion Post 30 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6073 will conduct their annual wreath-laying ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. A breakfast social will follow at the post.
Colorado
In Estes Park, American Legion Post 119 is providing a free breakfast buffet to area veterans. Following a ceremony at Veterans Monument, the post is inviting the public back to its facility to learn about Warrior Storyfield, a collaborative art project that seeks to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians by fostering community through the creative process.
Florida
· In Milton, Norman A. Garrett American Legion Post 78 is hosting a flag retirement ceremony and cookout as part of the community’s Veterans Day commemoration.
· In Monticello, Otto M. Walker Post 49 is inviting the community to a free Veterans Day breakfast of sausage, grits and eggs. A program will follow that will honor all veterans and include remarks from Jefferson County Veterans Affairs Officer David Dishman. There also will be a raffle.
Georgia
In Sugar Hill, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 127 is inviting area veterans to the post for free hot dogs, coleslaw and chili on Veterans Day.
Indiana
· In Warsaw, American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126 are hosting a free breakfast for veterans and active-duty military. The breakfast is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49 and SAL Squadron 49, and VFW Auxiliary Unit and Riders Group 1126.
· In South Bend, American Legion Post 303 will host its annual Veterans’ Appreciation Dinner on Nov. 6 with a complimentary Polish-style buffet dinner for active military personnel and all veterans. Also in South Bend, American Legion Post 50 is hosting a Veterans Day breakfast that is free to veterans. And American Legion Auxiliary Unit 357 in South Bend will host a free Veterans Day luncheon.
· In Greencastle, American Legion Post 58 will host a free Veterans Day dinner. The meal is free to all Putnam County veterans with one guest each.
Iowa
· In Milan, American Legion Post 569 is conducting a Veterans Day ceremony that will include Command Sgt. Major Michael J. Asuncion, U. S. Army Garrison, Rock Island Arsenal, as the guest speaker. The program also will include recognition of all veterans, a patriotic observance and a luncheon immediately after the ceremony.
· In Bellevue, American Legion Post 273 will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony in the Bellevue High School gymnasium. The theme of this year’s program is “Comradery.” Post 273 also will raise flags along the Avenue of Flags Nov. 10 and lower them on Nov. 12.
Maine
In Camden, War Memorial Post 30’s honor guard will take part in the annual silent vigil at the town’s War Memorial. Later that afternoon, Post 30 will conduct its annual community Veterans Day celebration. The event will include patriotic music, and the reading of poems and speeches – included from a 12-year-old student who will explain what Veterans Day means to him.
Maryland
In Severna Park, American Legion Post 175 has a full day planned that includes a breakfast, an outdoor ceremony and a luncheon. Everything is free to veterans.
Michigan
In Holland, the Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post 6 Band will continue its 106-year-old tradition of providing a free Veterans Day concert honoring those who have served in the U.S. military. The free concert will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, at the Holland Civic Center Place.
Minnesota
In Pequot Lakes, Ben Krueger Post 49 American Legion is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony that will include the grand opening of the newly constructed Legion Post Road and the dedication of a new 60-foot flagpole and the raising of a large American flag. Following the dedication, there will be a POW-MIA tribute and a Quilts of Valor presentation. A luncheon will follow.
New Jersey
· Ahead of Nov. 11, American Legion Department of New Jersey Commander Anthony Gladden attended the Gloucester County Veterans Day program at American Legion Post 133 in Woodbury.
· In Clark, American Legion Post 328 and Clark Township are inviting area residents to attend a Veterans Day spaghetti and meatball dinner at Post 328.
New Mexico
In Raton, American Legion Post 5 is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park that will include multiple speakers, live music, poems and a proclamation from Mayor Lori Chatterley. A reception will follow at the Raton Museum.
New York
· In Long Beach, Victor Murtha American Legion Post 972, Veterans of Foreign Wars Lt. John F. O’Grady Post 1384 and the City of Long Beach will use Veterans Day to unveil a new plaque at the Veterans Wall of Honor at Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach. The plaque honors the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1983 through 2011, including those who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
· In Hampton Bays, American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924 will host a Veterans Day ceremony. The guest speaker will be Lt. Commander Robert Scribnor, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran. Refreshments and snacks will be served afterward.
Ohio
· In Loudonville, American Legion Post 257 is taking part in day-long Veterans Day activities. In addition to taking part in Loudonville High School’s Breakfast with Veterans, the post is presenting a ceremony at the Main Street Bridge with its color and honor guards before moving to the Central Park memorial to complete the ceremony. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 257 also is providing breakfast, lunch and a light dinner for area veterans throughout the day.
· To honor Veterans Day, American Legion Riders from Chapter 211 in Avon Lake teamed with the Avon Police Department to place U.S. flags across an overpass on I-90
· In North Baltimore, American Legion Post 539 is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony and dinner that will include honoring both veterans and local Boys and Girls State participants, as well as presenting three scholarships.
Pennsylvania
In Black Walnut, Rought Hall Post 510 will host a free lasagna dinner for all veterans and active-duty personnel on Veterans Day.
Rhode Island
In Smithfield, Balfour-Cole Post 64 will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at Deerfield Park’s Veterans Memorial. Afterward, members of Post 64 will visit veterans at several local nursing homes to distribute items such as throw blankets, writing pads, pens, puzzles, sugar-free candies and more.
Texas
In Alpine, American Legion Post 653 is continuing its annual tradition of hosting a Veterans Day potluck dinner that will include live music. Post 653 also will conduct a flag retirement ceremony that evening.
Utah
In Cedar City, American Legion Post 74 will conduct a tribute to veterans at the Cedar City Veterans Memorial Park’s Korean War Memorial.
Wisconsin
In Danbury, American Legion Post 403 is hosting a Veterans Appreciation Meal that is free to all veterans and their spouse or partner.
- Veterans Day