Where Will You Be Honoring Our Nation’s Vets?

Posted by Ryan Cornell / Thursday, November 8th, 2012

 

Honor the veterans of our armed forces at these powerful ceremonies. / Photo credit: Anthony Correia / Shutterstock.com

Sure, it might not be as glamorous as New Year’s Eve or Independence Day. It might lack the marketing strategy that holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day employ. It might even get less days off from work than Thanksgiving.

But Veterans Day is one of the country’s most important holidays. For without the service of our military veterans, the basic freedom to celebrate these other holidays might not even exist. The right to vote in an election like the one on Tuesday wouldn’t be an unalienable one. And this blog probably wouldn’t be here.

Lucky for you, Northern Virginia hosts many memorial services and parades this weekend for Veterans Day. Here are some you might want to check out.

 

National Veterans Day Ceremony
Where: Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Fort Myer
When: Sunday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 703-607-8000
Online: arlingtoncemetery.mil
A wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns followed by a memorial service.

 

Manassas Veterans Day Parade
Where: Historic Manassas, Quarry Road and Prescott Ave., Manassas
When: Saturday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Online: vetpar.org
In its fourth year, the Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade honors the veterans of America’s Cold War.

 

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
Where: Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria
When: Sunday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: $15/adults, $7/child
Call: 703-780-2000
Online: mountvernon.org
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution present a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb. The Harmony Heritage Singers, an all-veteran barbershop chorus, will perform a patriotic community concert.

 

Annual Veterans Day Commemoration
Where: George C. Marshall International Center, 217 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg
When: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 703-777-1880
Online: georgecmarshall.org
Commemorate Veterans Day this year on the grounds of General George C. Marshall’s home with keynote speaker, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick (USA Ret.)

 

AFA/AFSA Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Where: Air Force Memorial, One Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington
When: Sunday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 703-979-0674
Online: airforcememorial.org
The Air Force Association and Air Force Sergeants Association host a ceremony featuring a two-minute moment of silence for members of the armed forces killed during war and a wreath-laying at the Memorial in honor of the veterans of the US Air Force.

Tags: Arlington National Cemetery, armed forces, Armistice Day, Federal holiday, Manassas, military veterans, mount vernon, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, November 11, Ryan Cornell, The Game Plan, Veteran's Day