Honor military veterans for their service this weekend. Throughout metro Atlanta, various cities will host parades on Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11) and the following Saturday honoring retired and active military members with the help of local schools and organizations.
Here are seven events (most of which are free) where you can show appreciation for our veterans:
Flag Ceremony at Emory University
The Emory Veterans Association will host its free, annual flag ceremony on the Quad. Jon Keen, veteran and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School alumnus, will serve as a guest speaker.
11 a.m. Nov. 11. Free. Emory University, 1390 Oxford Road, Atlanta. 404-727-6123, News.emory.edu.
Marietta Veterans Day Parade
Marietta’s Veterans Day Parade will depart from the Roswell Street Baptist Church and end between the Cobb Courthouse and Marietta City Hall with Grand Marshal Capt. Ed Gallrein, a U.S. Navy SEAL retiree. Bands and JROTC units from Marietta and Cobb County schools will participate in this parade, in addition to military vehicles, floats and veterans’ organizations.
Following the parade, a free ceremony will be held in the square.
11 a.m. Nov. 11. Free. Roswell Street Baptist Church, 774 Roswell St., Marietta. marietta.com/veterans-day-parade.
Atlanta History Center program
Joe Galloway, a renowned war correspondent and author, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Atlanta History Center's annual program at Veterans Park. Galloway, a Bronze Star with V for Valor awardee, co-authored The New York Times best-seller "We Were Soldiers Once … And Young."
Anyone can attend the program for free, but active military members, veterans and five members of their families will also receive free admission to the Atlanta History Center, including the Margaret Mitchell House, exhibitions and more.
11 a.m. Nov. 11. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-814-4000, atlantahistorycenter.com.
Lawrenceville Veterans Day Ceremony
Gwinnett County’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will feature honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, local police departments and more. The free event is held at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.
11 a.m. Nov. 11. Free. Fallen Heroes Memorial, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. gwinnettcounty.com.
Georgia Aquarium activities
A color guard presentation by the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Atlanta Region will kick off a day of activities at the Georgia Aquarium. Participants are encouraged to create holiday cards to send to deployed troops and honor loved ones who have served in the military by adding their names to the Stone Wall in the aquarium’s atrium. The names will be shown twice per hour from Nov. 11-18.
The aquarium also offers free admission to active military and veterans every Monday through Dec. 26 as a part of Military Mondays. They’ll also be admitted for free on Nov. 11 and 12. Family members will receive 30 percent off general admission.
Noon Nov. 11. Free (active military and veterans), $33.95 (child, onsite), $27.95 (child, in advance), $39.95 (adult, onsite), $31.95 (adult, in advance). Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St., Atlanta. 404-581-4000, georgiaaquarium.org.
Veterans Day Lighted Parade
Held in downtown Douglasville, the 17th annual Veterans Day Lighted Parade will kick off at Douglas County High School. The free nighttime parade is a chance for local residents to honor “veterans, active military, reserves and (the) U.S. flag,” according to the event website.
Bands and drill teams will perform on Campbellton Street between Spring and Church streets during this event.
7 p.m. Nov. 11. Free. Douglas County High School, 8705 Campbellton St., Douglasville. Celebratedouglascounty.com.
35th annual Atlanta Veterans Day Parade
The 35th annual Atlanta Veterans Day Parade will kick off in downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street south of Ralph McGill and Ivan Allen Jr. boulevards at 11:11 a.m. Nov. 12.
Gen. George Casey will serve as the parade’s grand marshal. Casey retired from a career in the U.S. Army after 41 years of service. He continues to work as an advocate on issues such as suicide and combat stress that affect military families.
Arrive early to secure a spot in the reviewing stand on Baker Street between the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium.
11:11 a.m. Nov. 12. Free. Peachtree Street, south of Ralph McGill and Ivan Allen Jr. boulevards. Gavetsdayparade.org.
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