Several national level organizations are hosting 2021 Veterans Day virtual events due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a list of events, which will be updated as new information is available:
Musicians On Call
Musicians On Call is performing a special virtual concert, which will be made available to all VA facilities across the country beginning Nov. 8.
The exclusive concert featuring Wynonna, Darius Rucker, Peter Frampton, Sara Evans, Lainey Wilson, Striking Matches, Michael Ray, Jameson Rodgers, Caylee Hammack, Sarahbeth Taite, Catie Offerman and more is being shared with VA facilities through Musician On Call’s Virtual Bedside Performance Program. The show is hosted by Big Sky Music Group recording artist Stephanie Quayle from world-famous The Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee. The artists perform their hits and offer songs of encouragement and messages of thanks to all Veterans for their service to our country.
Some of the top names in bull riding also made an appearance from the Pendleton Round-up in Oregon, and Michael Ray performed for Veterans and staff at the Phoenix VA Medical Center during a special virtual program in honor of Veterans Day.
The website to view the performance is www.musiciansoncall.org/veterans.
National Veterans Day Observance
VA Secretary Denis McDonough hosts the National Veterans Day Observance Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The 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.
The ceremony starts precisely at 11 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and honors and thanks all who served in the U.S. uniformed services. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response has compelled VA and its partners (Arlington Cemetery and Military District of Washington) to host a greatly reduced ceremony this year.
VA will live stream the ceremony at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs. People can also view at this link.
Q&A with VA secretary
VA Secretary Denis McDonough answers Veteran questions at a Facebook premiere event at 3 p.m. Nov. 11. The virtual event will be on VA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs and https://www.youtube.com/user/veteranshealthadmin.
McDonough addressed topics such as disability claims, burn pits, medical marijuana, mental health services, COVID-19 and community care.
World War II Memorial
Beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 11, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will pay tribute to the more than 16 million men and women who served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II at a special Veterans Day event hosted virtually and at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
At 9 a.m., a pre-recorded ceremony will be streamed via the Friends Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WWIIMemorialFriends.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum offers an online ceremony at 11 a.m. Eastern Time live on Facebook and YouTube. The program features former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force Les L. Lyles; NVMM President, CEO and Army Veteran Michael Ferriter; President of USAA and Navy Veteran Wayne Peacock; and others. These distinguished Veterans and guests will share messages promoting unity in support of the Veteran community and promoting selfless service in communities on Veterans Day and every day.
NVMM’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/NationalVeteransMemorialandMuseum/ and its YouTube page is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVmON_ezu70.
For those near Columbus, admission is free for U.S. military Veterans, active-duty military members and Gold Star families.
Vietnam Veterans Wall ceremony
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s Veterans Day Ceremony at The Wall will be online at 1 p.m. A video of the event will be at www.vvmf.org/live and VVMF’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund/.
Additionally, for the first time ever, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will do a daily virtual Reading of the Names. Each day, they will read all the names – and share the photos – of those who died on that day (for all years) during the Vietnam War. It will post at 3 p.m. ET each day starting this Sunday, Nov. 7, and go through Nov. 6, 2022. This leads up to Nov. 7-10, 2022, when there will be a 65 hour Reading of the Names at the Wall over 65 hours for each of the 58,281 names inscribed on The Wall.
People can find it on the VVMF Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund/, their website at www.vvmf.org/rotn and on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund.
NYC Vets Day Parade
Marine Corps Veteran and Navy Cross recipient Eddie Ray is the grand marshal for the 2021 NYC Vets Day Parade, which will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Desert Storm.
Get updates on the ceremony on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NYCVetsParade/ or its Twitter account at https://twitter.com/nycvetsparade.
The group also has Marching Orders, which are 11 activities Veterans and/or their supporters can do on-screen or at-home, either by themselves or with a socially distanced group. More information is at https://parade.uwvc.org/plans/marching-orders/.
Challenge America
Challenge America offers a virtual Veterans Day Gala Nov. 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. The event features a celebrity concert. Register to sign up and learn more at https://event.gives/caveterans.
Team RWB Workout of the Day
Every Veterans Day, hundreds of Veterans and supporters participate in #WOD4Warriors, a functional fitness workout with Team RWB. Participants can join in virtually this year by completing the event from home. Visit www.teamrwb.org/w4w to register, access a training plan, and view the full, adaptive and partner workout options.
Other events
For more events, including many state and local ceremonies, see https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/.
Topics in this story
More Stories
This 2024 Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to give back to Veterans.
Here are instructions on the ways to renew your Veteran Health Identification Card.
November marks National Veteran and Military Families Month, highlighted by Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11. This list of Veterans Day and Veterans Month events is organized by state and will be continuously updated with more events throughout the month.
Sir, I am a 65 y/o service disabled veteran. I live alone with no family within 1000 miles, and my friends work hours that aren’t often available to aid me if I had to be hospitalized as an in patient. This is often prevented because I have a beloved dog I can’t afford to board.
I’m trying to create an on-line means to connect with other disabled “Alone Veterans” with animals to press Congress, and the V.A. to establish small staffed veterinary kennels at each of the major V.A. Medical Centers. There must be 10’s of thousands of disabled veterans like me, living alone with a pet and no adequate outside support. Over my 40 years as a D/V I’ve had to deny needed In Patient treatment many times because I had no one to care for my dog(s).
An in hospital kennel would allow the D/V patient to visit, and re-assure their pet.
Please aid me if you can to set up a website to seek other D/V’s collaboration in pressing Congress, and the V.A. to require them to establish such kennels.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Respectfully: James O. Ghrist.
Good Evening Sir,
Where about do you live? I can try to call your local veterinarian and see what they can provide. Prior to the military, I was in the veterinary field and we often did this for clients we knew very well. Also, full disclaimer, I have no association with the VA. You raise an excellent point that should be addressed.
Very Respectfully,
LN2 Pena
Is their going to be a live Veterans Day celebration at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas this Veterans Day Thurs 11 Nov 2012? Several family members would love to attend.
Thank you,
Edwin J Parks
Check chanal 4&11 reno news in 2016-17 inter view at veterans stand down
I like the news letter. Keep up the good work