Monday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day and local institutions and businesses are celebrating with ceremonies, events and special discounts to honor veterans for their service.
Local ceremonies
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the city’s true treasures, offering a solemn and powerful tribute to the 648 local soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Monday, Nov. 11, Command Sergeant Major of the 103D Brigade Engineer Battalion, Pennsylvania National Guard, will be the keynote speaker at the Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Memorial. The ceremony will begin at noon, at Front and Spruce streets at Penn’s Landing
There will also be a Veteran’s Day ceremony held at the Philadelphia Korean War Memorial (109 Spruce St.) beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday. The Philadelphia Korean War Memorial was dedicated in 2002 to honor 610 servicemen, from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, who died in combat during the Korean War.
The Independence Seaport Museum’s Veteran’s Day ceremony begins at 10 a.m. aboard the Olympia. Captain Kate Higgins-Bloom, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, will be the featured speaker. The ceremony is open to the public and is free to attend.
Free admission at museums
The Museum of American Revolution will be offering free admission to those currently serving in the military, veterans, and Blue Star Families on Monday, Nov. 11, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal. For information and tickets, visit amrevmuseum.org
Philadelphia’s Museum of Illusions is commemorating the occasion by offering free admission to all veterans and active military personnel on Monday, Nov. 11. While there, visitors can check out some of the venue’s most popular visual illusions, including the Head on a Plate trick, Ames Room, the Vortex Tunnel, and more.
Art exhibition
The Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown, New Jersey, is hosting a special showcase, titled the ‘United States Veterans and Active Duty Military Exhibition,’ featuring art by military members and veterans that range in all mediums. As a release notes, more than 50 students have participated in military-only free classes, taught by artist Art Smith. Students range widely in skill and experience, and represent veterans from the Vietnam era to the Iraq war.
“Making art isn’t going to cure a crushed hip or PTSD, but working on art can alleviate mental, physical, and psychological pain,” said Art Smith in a statement. “After the military, some have said they didn’t feel like they had a purpose. Veterans can become isolated. I’ve heard participants say that now they have a purpose, and they can talk with each other, peer to peer.”
Discounts and deals
Many restaurants are also offering freebies and deals for veterans and active duty members on Monday, including Applebee’s (free meal), Buffalo Wild Wings (free wings and fries), Dunkin’ Donuts (free donut of choice), Krispy Kreme (free coffee and donut) and Starbucks (free coffee), among many others.
A complete list is available on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at news.va.gov
