We invite you to participate.
Often, the most profound, generous, gracious, and moving words come from the voices of children. As we approach Veterans Day during a year unprecedented in its difficulties, The War Memorial looks to the wisdom of youth to help express our gratitude to the brave souls who have served in the United States armed forces.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, The War Memorial has made the impossibly difficult decision to cancel this year's Veterans Day Breakfast.
A staple of our veterans outreach programming, the Breakfast holds a special place in the hearts of many. While we cannot safely gather in-person this November, The War Memorial is preparing a unique short film featuring Detroit-area youth, each offering a few seconds of thankfulness to heroes of the armed forces.
All school-aged children are invited to participate, whether by submitting your own digital video, or visiting The War Memorial during a prescheduled time to be filmed professionally. Please note that a parent or legal guardian will be required to sign a release allowing their child(ren)'s content to appear in this project; videos submitted without a signed release will be permanently deleted.
This moving video tribute will premiere on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020, via The War Memorial's website, social media channels, and, quite possibly, local television.
You can participate in-person:
Thursday, October 29
Schedule a professional video shoot for Thursday, October 29 using the registration tool link below.
Each child will receive a short block of time to record a brief message of thanks to our honored veterans, in the company of a friendly and engaging videographer. Parents and/or guardians will remain with their child(ren) at all times, and release forms will be signed in-person at the recording session. Filming will occur outdoors; while recording their segment, children may remove their facemasks, but all others must wear facial coverings at all times. Please see our full list of COVID-19 protocols listed lower on this page.
Or, participate from home:
By Friday, October 30
You may also create a short video at home and submit it to The War Memorial team. Videos must be filmed in high-resolution with clear audio and should not exceed ten seconds. Request access to our private submission link by registering for At-Home Participation on this website. You'll receive additional information via email, along with a release form. All at-home submissions must be received by Friday, October 30. Late entries will be permanently deleted.
If you choose to participate in-person, please be advised of the following mandatory COVID-19 protocols.
By attending this recording session, each guest affirms that —
They have not had a fever in the past day
They have not, to their knowledge, been in contact with someone who tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 in the past fourteen days
They do not have a new or worsening cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea
They will notify The War Memorial immediately if they test positive for COVID-19 within fourteen days following the event
All guests must pre-register to attend; unregistered guests cannot be accommodated, and registration will end on Thursday, October 29, promptly at noon
Each guest will have their temperature taken upon arrival; The War Memorial staff will use a forehead thermometer. Guests with a fever (a temperature over 100.4°F) will not be permitted to attend the event
Sanitization stations will be available
Women’s, men’s, and neutral restrooms will be available; only one individual will be permitted into each facility at a time
Although filming will take place outdoors, we ask that all guests wear facemasks for the protection and safety of others
We ask that guests refrain from hand-shaking, hugging, and other forms of physical touch, with those who are not members of the same household
Guests in violation of these vital safety precautions will be asked to either comply or to leave the recording session.
Please note that participation in this project is voluntary, unpaid, and your submission may not appear in the final video without notification or explanation. Videos submitted for this project will never be used for any other purpose, and all raw footage will be permanently deleted upon rendering of the final cut.
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.