Today is Veterans Day. It is the one day out of the year to pay special homage to our armed servicemen and women!
All Americans nationwide are encouraged to display the flag and recognize U.S. veterans with proper ceremony. Emporia, Kansas, the home of Alvin J. King, is home to one of the more famous Veterans Day ceremonies. On Oct. 31, 2003, Emporia was recognized by Congress as the “Founding City of the Veterans Day Holiday.”
If you are in New York City for the holiday, you won’t want to miss the Veterans Day Parade. The procession starts at 11:15am and the parade is preceded by a traditional opening ceremony at the Eternal Light monument at Madison Square Park at 10am. The ceremony ends with a wreath laying at 11am, which is also the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The event is said to be the largest Veterans Day parade in the country, and thousands of marchers from more than 300 units across the various armed forces are expected to participate.
Astronaut, Buzz Aldrin is the grand marshal of this year’s parade. Aldrin, the second person to ever step on the moon, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and will help celebrate the Air Force’s 70th birthday.
Perhaps Clay Aiken will watch the parade. The weather is predicted to be sunny, but it will be chilly with a high of 40 degrees.
The most famous of all Veterans Day observances is held at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The observance is held at 11 a.m., the same time of the signing of the armistice to end World War I. The service includes two minutes of silence, and usually the president places a wreath at the tomb.
All of California’s national parks — from Yosemite to Pinnacles to Muir Woods — will waive entry fees on Saturday and Sunday to every member of the public to honor America’s veterans and the Veterans Day holiday.
The state parks are also celebrating. California State Park’s Director Lisa Mangat said:
California State Parks is proud to offer free admission on Veterans Day to all active military personnel and veterans as gratitude for their service. We welcome veterans to the amazing natural and cultural resources of our state’s parks.
Grove of Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
(Courtesy of Dino Vournas)
Enjoying nature is another way to celebrate Veterans Day! How beautiful!
However we choose to celebrate Veterans day, we must remember that it is a day that is set aside for reflection, honor and remembrance for those soldiers who served and died, soldiers who served and lived, and those who are still serving today.
What is Clay Aiken doing this Veterans Day?
Wherever he is or whatever he is doing, I am sure he will acknowledge the importance of the day
and help teach his young son about patriotism.
I love this beautiful song that Clay sang for the 4th of July in Washington DC. It is perfect for today!
What are you doing to celebrate Veterans Day?
