While there can never be enough gratitude shown to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, many events are being held this Veterans Day to honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed to protect our country.
Veterans Day, on Monday, November 11, is a holiday honoring those who have served in the armed forces. Here’s a list of events honoring veterans and their patriotism, plus some freebies and discounts for them this holiday.
Veterans Day discounts and freebies
Several restaurant chains, food companies, furniture stores, clothing stores, auto services, and entertainment and recreation destinations are offering a variety of free gifts and deals in honor of Veterans Day. You can view that full list on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
In Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution saluted veterans on Monday by offering free admission to those currently serving in the military, veterans and Blue Star Families on Sunday and Monday.
In addition, all active or retired military personnel can take a free ride on NJ Transit’s train, bus or light rail services on Mondays. Veterans and active duty members, in or out of uniform, simply need to show one of the following valid forms of identification: a military ID card, Veterans Administration identification, a veterans organization membership card, or they can simply wear a U.S. military uniform.
The Elmwood Park Zoo is also offering free admission to veterans with a valid veteran ID and photo ID on the Sunday leading up to the holiday. Philadelphia’s Museum of Illusions will also thank veterans on Sunday and Monday with free admission. Veterans must provide valid identification for admission.
Veterans Day Events in Pennsylvania
10th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival
The Philadelphia Veterans Parade begins at noon at 21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway on Sunday, November 10 and ends just past the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval. The festival features several food trucks and lasts until 4 p.m
Independence Seaport Museum’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony
This free Veterans Day ceremony will be celebrated on board the Olympia on Monday morning starting at 10 a.m. The event will last approximately one hour and will feature keynote speaker Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom, deputy commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.
The Olympia is located across from Spruce Street Harbor Park, next to the Moshulu.
Media Veterans Day Parade
Delaware County will salute its veterans with a parade starting at 11:11 a.m. Monday. The parade begins on State Street outside the Media Theater and ends in front of the County Courthouse with a closing ceremony.
The Media Veterans Day Parade will also feature the 2024 Grand Marshal, Master Sgt. Tanya Harris, who also previously worked as a recruiting office supervisor for the Delaware Air National Guard.
Veterans Day Events in New Jersey
Veterans Day Ceremony 2024 in Sea Isle City
The community will honor veterans at Sea Isle City’s 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by Mayor Leonard Desiderio on Monday at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park at JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue.
There is a rain location at Community Lodge at 300 JFK Boulevard.
Officials said the ceremony will include “patriotic hymns.” [including Bag Pipe music]placing wreaths around the park’s fountain and words of praise for our nation’s veterans.
Two veterans will also receive “Quilts of Valor,” a handmade quilt that officials say was made by Quilts of Valor Foundation volunteers.
Veterans Day Events in Delaware
Duty, Honor and Country: A Tribute to Veterans Day
The Rehoboth Concert Band plans to honor veterans with an uplifting, heartfelt and free concert at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Officials said there is no charge for admission, but donations will be accepted at the door and all proceeds will benefit Folds of Honor, described as “a charity that provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled service members and first responders.”
