‘They stood in harm’s way’: Where you can commemorate Veterans Day in the Triangle

People across the country will gather Thursday to honor the lives of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

With events kicking off over the weekend at the Raleigh Veterans Day Parade, more ceremonies will soon follow.

And in the Triangle, an array of events will feature speeches, meals and other celebratory activities — both online, and in person.

Here’s a look at some of the places you can observe the holiday this week.

Wake County celebrations

Raleigh Veterans Day Celebration

▪ The city of Raleigh will hold a celebration from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11. at John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

▪ The celebration will feature veteran reflections and offer those who attend a chance to learn about the park’s military history.

▪ It will be held inside the community center and free refreshments will be provided.

Cary Veterans Day Celebration

▪ The Town of Cary will hold a celebration Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Freedom Park, 1517 N. Harrison Ave.

▪ Council member Jack Smith will lead the ceremony, which will honor veterans of all wars and conflicts.

▪ The event will also feature guest speakers from local veteran organizations and music from the Old North State Brass Band.

Garner Veterans Day Celebration

▪ The town of Garner will hold a Veterans Day celebration at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. at Aversboro Road Baptist Church, 1600 Aversboro Road.

▪ It will feature a performance by Garner Magnet High School band and a keynote address by Lt. Col. Thomas Smith, a 1988 graduate of Garner Senior High School.

Holly Springs Veterans Day Ceremony

▪ In Holly Springs, a ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park, 600 Bikram Drive.

Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration

▪ The town of Morrisville will hold a Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive.

▪ It will begin at 10 a.m. and honor veterans who live in and work for the town.

Wake Tech Veterans Day Celebration

▪ The event is Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at Wake Tech Southern Wake Campus, Building a Corutyard, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh.

▪ Speakers include: Wake Tech president Dr. Scott Ralls; Retired U.S. Army Col. Martin Falls, Chief of Staff from the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; and music from the 82nd Airborne Division Brass Quintet.

Zebulon Veterans Day Celebration

▪ In Zebulon, the town’s Parks and Recreation department will co-host a celebration with the Zebulon Rotary Club.

▪ The celebration will take place on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. on the front lawn outside of Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 N. Arendell Ave.

Durham

Durham County virtual celebration

▪ The event starts Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. and will be streamed online at the county’s website at dconc.gov and social media accounts, as well as on the Durham Television Network.

▪ From 12 noon to 4 p.m., the Durham County Veteran Services office will field questions from residents about VA benefits and other services. Residents can call in at 919-560-8387.

Lois Harvin-Ravin, director of DCVS, said the event would honor “the magnitude of their service.”

“They stood in harm’s way both during peacetime and wartime to defend our nation’s freedom and our way of life,” Harvin-Ravin said. “Let us remember them this Veterans Day and for all days to come.”

Duke University

▪ An in-person ceremony is Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the lawn in front of Duke University Chapel.

▪ The 30-minute event will include the national anthem performed by the John Brown Ensemble, a wreath laying ceremony, along with remarks from Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president of administration; Luke Powery, dean of Duke University Chapel; and keynote speaker Randy Arvay, chief information security officer for Duke University Health System. The ceremony will close with “Taps” played on the bagpipes.

Orange County Veterans Day Ceremony

▪ The Orange County Veterans Day ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Southern Human Services Campus at 2501 Homestead Drive in Chapel Hill. It will feature an array of speakers, including local officials and several U.S. Army and Navy members.

Johnston County Public Schools Virtual Celebration

▪ Johnston County Public Schools will host a virtual Veterans Day celebration at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The event will be livestreamed on the school district’s Facebook and Youtube.

▪ Johnston County veteran Pascual Goicoechea will be featured at the event. Goicoechea was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. in 1960, enlisting in the military nine years later, according to a news release.

In 1977, he became an officer of infantry in the Army, and served for another 33 years before retiring as Chief of Operations at Fort Bragg. He lives in Clayton and serves as a member of the Clayton Rotary, officials said.

▪ After the virtual ceremony, local veterans will be invited to Smithfield-Selma High School for a curbside meal from 12 to 2 p.m.

North Carolina Zoo Military Appreciation Week

At the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, U.S. veterans and active military members will receive free admission between Nov. 8 and 14.

Up to six guests will also be able to purchase admissions at a $2 discount.

The discount is available to all active duty, reserve, veteran and retired military personnel from all military branches, according to a news release.

To receive the discount, the zoo asks people to bring any of the following:

• US Veterans ID
• Military ID
• DD-214 with Photo ID
• State driver’s license with veteran indicator or military identifier
• VA, VF, or American Legion issued ID

This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 4:23 PM.