A number of Veterans Day events are pouring into our inboxes. We’ll continue to compile a list of ways to honor those who have served in the military.
November 10
UVA ROTC units will honor veterans, remember prisoners of war and those missing in action, with a candlelight vigil starting Tuesday at 3pm in the McIntire Ampitheater.
Air Force Colonel R. Wyn Elder, executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a 1990 UVA and Air Force ROTC graduate, will speak. Ninety-two cadets and midshipmen will participate in the 24-hour vigil, in groups of four rotating every hour, silently marching throughout the duration. The vigil will also feature a display of service flags, including the POW/MIA flag.
November 11
All active duty, former and retired military personnel will receive free admission to Ash Lawn-Highland on Wednesday for a Veterans Day celebration.
At 11am, the University of Virginia Army ROTC Cadets and the Buford Middle School band will join for a ceremony, free and open to the public, in salute to our veterans. The ceremony will include remarks from U.S. Congressman Robert Hurt and from Vietnam veteran Dr. Heyward Macdonald. A variety of family activities will be offered following the ceremony.
Visitors can listen to Colonel Monroe in performances held at 1 and 3pm, as he recounts the American Revolution.
From 2-4pm, a living timeline of veterans will represent soldiers from the Revolutionary War through Operation Desert Storm. Visitors are invited to explore the evolution of the American soldier since Monroe’s day. Two World War II Jeeps will also be on display.
For non-military visitors, the family activities, Colonel Monroe’s performances, and the veterans timeline, in addition to the house tour, are included with regular admission ($14, or $8 for residents of Charlottesville and surrounding counties).
November 11
A Veterans Day Celebration commemorating the African American military experience will take place at the Jefferson School City Center’s African American Heritage Center and Carver Recreation Center from 9am-4pm. Military Historians will share some of the untold stories of African Americans’ roles in defending the ideals of freedom and democracy while simultaneously fighting against institutional racism.
November 11
Join the community in observing Veterans Day with music by the Charlottesville High School Band, and a speech given by Brigadier General Charles N. Pede. Free. 10:30am. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, 700 E. Main St. 245-4910.
November 11
UVA’s Faculty and Staff Veteran Networking Community will host a luncheon from noon to 1:30pm in the Alumni Hall Ballroom for faculty and staff members who are veterans. The guest speaker for the event will be Air Force Colonel Steven Hiss, commander of the UVA Air Force ROTC program.
November 11
Virginia state parks will waive all parking fees and hold special events for veterans.
Six state parks will offer flag retirement ceremonies for old, damaged flags: Chippokes Plantation in Surry, Hungry Mother in Marion, James River in Gladstone, Kiptopeke in Cape Charles, Powhatan, in Powhatan County and Staunton River in Scottsburg.
Honor your hero by bringing a photograph and story to Leesylvania State Park’s Wall of Honor in Woodbridge. At Fairy Stone State Park in Stuart, veterans are invited to share their stories. Lake Anna in Spotsylvania, New River Trail in Max Meadows and Wilderness Road near Cumberland Gap will feature speeches by veterans from the community.
For the complete list of programs, visit http://bit.ly/2015VetDay.
November 11
U.S. Postal Service closed.
November 11
Rhythm in Blue Veteran’s Day Celebration. The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band is proud to present Rhythm in Blue, the unit’s dynamic new jazz ensemble. This sleek, 13-member group presents exciting and uplifting music to inspire patriotism and tell the Air Force story. Free,7:30pm. State Theatre of Culpeper, 305 S. Main St., Culpeper. (540) 829-0292.
November 13
Veterans’ Story Theatre. Interactive and spontaneous, playback theater takes its material from the experiences of audience members—in this case, veterans who directly or indirectly served our country. Free, 7:30pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building at PVCC, 501 College Dr. 961-5376.
November 13
The Colonnades will host its Annual Veterans day Breakfast at 8:30am. Charlottesville community members will have the opportunity to commemorate those loved and lost and work with the community’s residents to write letters for Operation Gratitude, which sends letters to deployed service men and women.
November 14-15
On November 14 from 10am-5pm and November 15 from 1pm-4pm, visit with the 29th Infantry Division living history interpreters at Oatlands and learn about a soldier’s life during World War II. An Oatlands grounds or house ticket is required and veterans and active military are free.
December 4-7
Ceremonies to honor veterans who served during the Vietnam era will be held at the beginning of December. Congressman Robert Hurt asks for veterans who would like to be recognized to register here or call 434-791-2596. Registration must be received by November 30.
These ceremonies are free public events for Vietnam Era Veterans and their families and will feature a congressional recognition and a commemorative pinning. Veterans, who served at any point between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975 and currently live in Virginia’s 5th District, can register. View ceremony times and locations here.