Veterans Health Administration

Ceremonies and parades across the country show America’s gratitude.

“We pray and promise that those who have served and are still serving will never be forgotten, that returning warriors will not bear their wounds alone, that their families will receive help in facing uncertain futures, and that we, as a grateful nation, will embrace and care for survivors of those who do not return.”
Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs

On Veterans Day, we celebrate the service, sacrifice and enduring achievements of almost 22 million living Americans who served our nation in uniform – at home and abroad – during times of both war and peace.

On the 11th day of the 11th month, as we have in so many years past, Americans will reflect on our way of life and pay tribute to the men and women who made it all possible.

At VA medical centers across America, we salute our fathers, mothers, grandfathers, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, Veterans all, our neighbors, friends and colleagues.

They are people who offered life’s most vital years in service to country – and sometimes sacrificed their health and welfare for us. They were our protectors and defenders, warfighters, peacemakers and peacekeepers. They were guardians of the greatest social and political experiment the world has ever known, representative democracy.

Below are just a few of the planned celebrations. Check here for activities at your VA Medical Center.

Wyoming

The Sheridan VA Medical Center will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony, this year honoring the 200th year of the National Anthem with essays written by local school children and the anthem sung by local celebrity singer – Dan Burges.

New York

The Canandaigua VA Medical Center will host a “Missing Man Ceremony” sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. International recording artist, songwriter and producer Jim Worthing will perform a special patriotic music concert to salute Veterans.

Minnesota

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System will host a Veterans Day program for hospitalized Veterans. Members of the Minnesota Vikings football team will visit patients in the Community Living Center and Spinal Cord Injury Center followed by a musical program and ceremony.

Kansas

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center will host a series of Veterans Day activities and take a busload of Veterans to the Veterans Day Parade in Wichita to participate in the events.

Wisconsin

The Tomah VA Medical Center will honor two Veterans who will be inducted into its Hall of Heroes, a reminder of the bravery and the hardships faced by the Veterans of our nation.

Florida

Tampa’s James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony, Parade and Welcome Home event with a ceremony at the Fisher House followed by a classic car show and picnic.

 We pray and promise that those who have served and are still serving will never be forgotten. 
— Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs

Missouri

The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia will host a recognition ceremony for the winners of an annual Veterans Day Essay Contest. Since 1999, the facility has conducted an essay contest for middle and high school students in the Columbia Public School District. Portions of the winning essays are read aloud.

Nevada

The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno will host the Rock for Warriors Show, designed to show appreciation to America’s Veterans, increase community awareness of VA programs and services, encourage citizens to become a VA volunteer and increase awareness of the issues facing injured Veterans and their families. The show is after the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Reno and admission is always complimentary and open to the public as concert organizers believe “the price has already been paid by our Veterans’ sacrifices.”

Mississippi

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi will host a “Salute to Veterans” formal ceremony followed by a fish fry and will also participate in the City of Biloxi’s Veterans Day Parade.

Oregon

The VA Roseburg Healthcare System will have a bus with patients in the annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade. Patients will also enjoy a special luncheon and band performance.

California

The VA Northern California Health Care System in Sacramento will host the 9th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony to pay tribute to all U.S. military Veterans, along with a special recognition to the United Service Organization (USO) for their dedication to American troops for the last 70 years.

Louisiana

The Alexandria VA Health Care System will host a series of Veterans Day activities on their beautiful, historic grounds in Pineville, beginning with a formal program followed by a community parade and ending with a hot dog picnic.

South Carolina

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center will host the Veterans Day Parade in historic downtown Charleston featuring floats and bands led by the Vietnam Veterans of America motorcycle flag brigade. The parade is followed by a special free lunch for parade participants at the VA medical center.

Alabama

The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park featuring keynote speaker Senator Richard Shelby. The ceremony will include the unveiling of a monument dedicated to a WWI Medal of Honor recipient.

Georgia

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta will join a Veterans Day parade through downtown Augusta with area high school and college bands, the Fort Gordon Band and Color Guard and Veterans from the medical center. The medical center will also have a breakfast for Veterans before the parade and employees will be marching in the parade and handing out flags. After the parade, a Veteran-led “Uptowners” band will entertain Veterans.