The War Memorial welcomes our service men and women, their families and community members to our Veterans Day celebrations to honor the bravery and courage of those who are serving and who have served. We invite you to this year's Veterans Day 2021 celebrations as we say "Thank You" to the bravest amongst us and look forward to the return of our annual Veterans Day Breakfast in 2022.
Taps at 9am, 12pm, and 3pm
Join us lakeside at The War Memorial at 9am, 12pm and 3pm for a ceremonial playing of Taps as a call to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of our freedom. We welcome and thank Metro Detroit buglers Paul Roache (9am & 3pm) and Dick McClelland (12pm) for join us!
Coffee and Conversation
Free coffee and pastries will be available for veterans throughout the day during business hours (9am-5pm) in the Tannahill Reception Room inside the Alger House.
Memorial Hall Name Rubbing
We welcome the community during business hours (9am-5pm) to the lobby of The War Memorial to memorialize the names of loved ones whose names can be found on the plaques in Memorial Hall. The War Memorial Community Engagement department will provide paper and rubbing crayons for visitors.
American Democracy Live Event — Wings of Gold: The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators
7pm | Online Event
Join us on the evening of November 11 for a special online discussion and live Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Beverly Weintraub — author of Wings of Gold: The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators (Lyons Press, 2021) to learn about the very first women to train and serve as US Naval Aviators.
About Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.’" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word Armistice and inserting the word Veterans. With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday in May. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country, particularly in battle or from wounds they suffered in battle. Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it’s largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.