The observance of Veterans Day has a long history in the Birmingham area and several events are planned for this year’s holiday.
Local events will kick off on Nov. 9 with a Veterans Day Tribute at the Alabama Veterans Memorial in Vestavia Hills.
Starting at 1 p.m., veterans will line the park trail and talk about their experiences. A program will follow at 1:45 p.m. in the Memorial Plaza and will feature an inspirational speaker and a performance by the Birmingham Boys Choir.
At 3 p.m., a StepStone dedication ceremony will be held in Flag Plaza at the park, located at 100 Overton Access Road.
Other Veterans Day events will include a memorial service on Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Linn Park in Birmingham to honor the late Raymond Weeks, a Birmingham native who is often called the Father of Veterans Day.
Weeks, who’s daughter Babara Minor lives in Vestavia Hills, established the first Veterans Day celebration in Birmingham in 1947. He lobbied for a national holiday to honor veterans until it was established in 1954.
The National Veterans Award Dinner and Dance will start at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom and will honor former Sen. Bob Dole with the 2014 National Veterans Day Award. Tickets to the event are $30 each.
Veterans Day observances on Nov. 11 will begin with the Veterans Memorial Service at 8:30 a.m. at Cathedral Church of the Advent, located at 2017 Sixth Ave. N. in Birmingham.
Veterans Day events will continue on Nov. 11 with the World Peace Luncheon starting at 10:30 a.m. at Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom. Tickets to the luncheon are $25 each.
The National Veterans Day Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 at 18th Street and Eighth Ave. N. in Birmingham.
Good People Brewing Company will host the inaugural “Got Your Six” Gala starting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 to benefit the Alabama-based Wounded Warrior Family Foundation.
Birmingham Mayor William Bell will give the invocation and Kip Trayler will perform at the event. Tickets are $25 each with all proceeds going to help wounded veterans and their families.
For more information on the Wounded Warrior Family Foundation, visit woundedwarriorfoundation.org.
For more information on Birmingham area Veterans Day events, visit nationalveteransday.org.
