Veteran's Day Events in Northern Virginia and Washington DC

This coming Wednesday, November 11th is the observance of Veterans Day. There are many local events in the Northern Virginia area taking place to recognize the heroism and acts of those who have previously served or continue to serve in the military.

Here are a few of the local events taking place to remember our Veterans and pay tribute to honor the bravery and sacrifice of those men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Manassas Veterans Parade
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the first ever Veterans Parade in Manassas will take place. The parade is hosted by the American Legion Robert V. McMaugh Memorial Post 10, and will start at 11:00 a.m. in Old Town Manassas. For more information please visit the parade's website.

Arlington National Cemetery
The National Veterans Day service and wreath-laying ceremony will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11:00 a.m. on Veterans Day. It is recommended that visitors arrive early, at least a half-hour, before the ceremony because seating in the amphitheater is limited.

Veterans Ceremony of Remembrance
This remembrance ceremony will take place on November 11 at 10:30 am at the Fairfax War Memorial (located at the corner of Route 236/Main St., and Route 123/Chain Bridge Road) in Fairfax, VA. The ceremony is hosted by the American Legion Post 177 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8469.

Veterans Day Tours at Fort Ward
To recognize Veterans Day, this Saturday, November 7, 2009, Fort Ward will have a special event where visitor tours are led by a Union soldier in period uniform. Each tour is one hour and will "introduce visitors to the history of the Defenses of Washington, the building and role of Fort Ward, 19th-century fortification engineering, and the troops who were stationed in this area during the Civil War." (Fort Ward website).

There are two tours, one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m., and the event is free. The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA.

World War II Memorial
There will be a special wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on November 11, 2009 at 8 a.m. at 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW Washington, DC.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A special wreath-laying ceremony takes place on November 11, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Memorial at Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, DC. There will be Color guard, speakers and a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate.

Vietnam Women's Memorial
This event takes place down on the National Mall on November 11, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW Washington, DC. Vietnam-era veterans and the children of veterans tell stories "in their own voices" about their experiences. (About.com).

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
On November 11, 2009 Mount Vernon salutes Veterans by hosting special activities on Veterans Day.

These include a "patriotic community concert by the all-veteran barbershop chorus at 11 a.m., at 2 p.m. wreathlaying at the tomb of our first commander-in-chief, George Washington, and "Martha Washington" talking about her work with veterans at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Little Theater" (Mount Vernon.org). Active duty military personnel and veterans are admitted free of charge. All other visitors will be admitted with regular admission fees to Mount Vernon.

Wherever you are on Veterans Day, or any other day, please take a moment to remember and thank those brave men and women who serve.