Veterans Day is set on November 11 of each year. It commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Veterans Day was originally designed to honor veterans of World War I. Later, it was expanded to include all U.S. veterans who served in wartime or peacetime. Never confuse it with Memorial Day, which honors those who gave their lives in battle for our country.
Veterans Day, on the other hand, is to acknowledge the sacrifices made by living veterans. Every year major vendors and restaurants have discounts or waivers for veterans. It's one of the ways to show respect and care for them. And this year, besides enjoying the leisure time the holidays bring you, take a moment to show your appreciation to our country's veterans.
(Celebrate Veterans Day)
Join The Parade
This is the most important part, the parade. Just like Memorial Day, Veterans Day has parades all over the place. Based on geographic location, we have compiled a list of some of these parades so you can choose one near you to attend.
Auburn Veterans Parade and Memorial in Washington State
This is a small town on the West Coast, yet it hosts the largest parade each year on Veterans Day. The event will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023 starting at 11:00 AM. With more than 200 units and 6,000 participants, this year's parade is expected to be a very big one.
Jacksonville, Florida
This will be one of the largest parades in the Southeast, with the event starting at 9:30 AM. on November 11. The parade will be held at The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
The event includes marshals, senior officers, active and retired military, veterans groups, local high school marching bands, decorated floats, and more. The parade is fun due to the participation of the crowds along the parade route.
(Veterans Parade)
New York
The parade will start at 26th Street and participants will walk to 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The total walk is 1.2 miles. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and will last to 12:30 p.m. Approximately 250 groups and 20,000 individuals join together for this grand parade, making it a truly exciting event.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 in downtown Milwaukee. Participants will include military personnel, military units, civic and youth groups, businesses, and more. Floats, military, vintage vehicles, and other special elements add to the spectacle and excitement. Even better, there will be live entertainment for veterans and food at the Marcus Performing Arts Center Plaza.
Almost all parades need an application, so if you're interested you can apply for participation by going to the official website of each parade.
Organize Commemorative Events
Organize a commemorative event for veteran soldiers. You can organize it with your neighbors and invite veterans who are in the neighborhood. Be grateful for the contributions they have made. Veterans can also be invited to speak to children about their experiences in the armed forces and what they have learned.
This will give children a direct insight into what it was like to serve their country. It can also be a relief for veterans to share their experiences with others. This different kind of classroom will also allow the children to experience things that are not in the books.
(Block Commemorative Events)
And to hold such an outdoor block event, a party tent is indispensable. It can provide a safe event area that is not disturbed by the weather, but also an excellent outdoor dining space. As for the size, the 20x20 party tent can accommodate enough people including a dining table and chairs, perfect for block parties. And at night, candlelight vigils can be held to remember fallen soldiers. And it allows veterans or families of the fallen to share their memories.
Visit the Museum
You can go to museums with your family and learn about the history of our country and the people who fought for it. There is the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City that is worth a visit and contains different exhibits and information about World War I.
If you are in New York, it is also good to go to the USS'' Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. As this museum is completely themed on American soldiers and is perfect for the atmosphere of the day. The ships that will be used for Veterans Day will be parked next to the Intrepid a few days in advance. These huge ships amaze everyone, it is a very worthwhile place to visit.
(Intrepid Sea Air&Space Museum)
Planned Fundraising Sales
There are several different ways to raise money for veterans. One of the most popular and easiest ways is to set up a canopy tent and sell lemonade. It is a meaningful activity, especially for children. Not only do they get to put in the work in the prep process, but they also get to experience the whole selling process and strengthen their management of money.
Not only do they sell lemonade, but they can also raise money by doing what they can in the neighborhood such as weeding, cleaning up the backyard, etc. All proceeds will be donated to a local non-profit organization that benefits veterans.
(lemonade Booth With Canopy Tent)
Paying Tribute To The Cemetery
Every year, Memorial Day and Veterans Day bring large crowds to place flowers and flags at the cemetery. Among them is Arlington National Cemetery, a national military cemetery that has been open for more than 150 years.
And a national ceremony for Veterans Day is held every year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. The event begins at 11 a.m. with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues afterward in the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors organized by veterans and speeches by dignitaries.
You can also volunteer at your local veterans' cemetery, where the job may be to help run the grounds.
(Arlington National Cemetery)
Experience For Yourself
Veterans Day is more than just a federal holiday, it exists to teach us about the sacrifice and dedication of our military men and women. All of these methods can be ways you can show your respect and sympathy, and everything you do has the potential to make an impact on the veterans in your community.
So whatever you choose to do to spend your time, the essential thing is to experience the whole process for yourself.
