COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Several local and national organizations will pivot from traditional Veterans Day festivities in light of the current health emergency and offer virtual opportunities to honor our nation’s veterans. Below is a snapshot of locally and nationally scheduled events.
LOCAL VIRTUAL EVENTS
National Veterans Memorial and Museum Veterans Day Ceremony
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum will offer an online ceremony Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. eastern time live on Facebook and YouTube. The program will include messages and remarks from Marine Corps and Navy veteran and Emmy-winning talk show host Montel Williams; Army Veteran, President and CEO of Big Lots, Inc. Bruce Thorn; and Army Veteran and NVMM President and CEO retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter. For those near Columbus, admission is free for U.S. military veterans, active-duty military members and Gold Star families.
Columbus College of Art and Design Virtual Film Screening
The Columbus College of Art and Design will host a virtual film screening Nov. 13-15 entitled Re-story: Transforming Veterans Stories into Art. Developed as a creative learning project between CCAD and the Veteran Arts Initiative of the Veterans Affairs Central Ohio Healthcare System, the documentary will debut as part of a series of virtual film screenings and panel discussions leading up to the inaugural National Veterans Film Festival in collaboration with the Gateway Film Center and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, taking place in 2021.
NATIONAL VIRTUAL EVENTS
National Veterans Day Observance
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will host the National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. eastern time. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The nation’s 67th Veterans Day Observance will honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during war and peacetime. View the ceremony via the DoD live stream link or via the Veterans Affairs Facebook page.
Vietnam Veterans Wall Ceremony
The annual Veterans Day ceremony is co-hosted by Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to pay tribute to all of our country’s servicemen and servicewomen, regardless of what conflict they served in. On this special day, prominent Americans from all walks of life come to the Memorial to deliver thought-evoking and patriotic speeches. This year’s ceremony at The Wall will be an online ceremony only. The virtual commemoration will be Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. eastern time and can be viewed on their Facebook page or website.
New York City Veterans Day Parade
Continuing the traditions of the nation’s Veterans Day salute to service, the 2020 New York City Veterans Day Parade will be held Nov. 11 starting at 8 a.m. A motorized convoy of 120 vehicles will muster and roll down a portion of the traditional parade route. The parade will also feature a Virtual Line of March, which will recreate the Parade experience online. Learn about this year’s plans at nycvetsday.org/plans or visit their Facebook page and Twitter account for more information.