Veterans Day honors men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Do you know the significance of the annual date, November 11th? At 5:00am on November 11th 1918 the Allied powers and Germany signed an armistice document in the railway carriage of Ferdinand Foch, the commander of the Allied armies, and six hours later World War I came to an end.
The states of Kansas and Missouri are each uniquely tied to Veterans Day. In 1953 Emporia, Kansas resident Alvin J. King proposed that the holiday called Armistice Day (International Day of Remembrance) be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts. The holiday was first organized and celebrated in Emporia in 1953.
Kansas’ involvement did not end there. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees took the Veterans Day proposal to Congress. On May 26, 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill into law changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to honor all U.S. military veterans on November 11th. The first nationwide observance of the new holiday was on November 11, 1954.
Here's a glimpse at how KC Destinations are honoring Veterans across the region:
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri’s connection to this important holiday is as home to the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Commemoration events will be held the weekend of November 11-13 beginning with a ceremony from 10am-11am on Friday. This program will include remarks from dignitaries and includes music performed by the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City.
Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend. For details and more events visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Location: 2 Memorial Drive | Kansas City, MO 64108 USA | Phone: 816.888.8100
Gardner
Fly through history with a trip to the Commemorative Air Force Heart of America Wing at New Century AirCenter. The CAF is dedicated to restoring and maintaining flight-worthy historical military aircraft from all branches of service. Check out the displays in the museum, attend an open-to-the-public meeting to hear from former pilots and other veterans, or book a ride in the open cockpit PT-139 Stearman! If you are handy with tools or just have an interest, they are also accepting volunteers to help restore a Fairchild PT-19. Open Hangar Days are held on the second Saturdays Spring through Fall. More info is available at http://www.kcghostsquadron.org.
Location: 6 Aero Plaza, New Century, KS 66031 | Phone: (913) 397-6376
Kansas City, KS What better way to honor our veterans, military service persons and fallen heroes than to take a tour of all the great veteran and war memorials in Kansas City, KS, and Wyandotte County? Whether you have friends or family in the service, have served yourself, are an avid history buff, or just appreciate what it means to be an American, there is always value in taking the time to pay tribute to the sacrifices that were made for our country. Read More about visiting our memorials!
Leavenworth, KS This year’s Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade is its 103rd – the oldest and largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi River! It will be held in downtown Leavenworth, KS, on Nov. 11th and is a free event! Find the parade route map here!
Lenexa, KS
Did you know VFW #7397 in Lenexa is named after Isadore Hoehn? Hoehn enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War I with the rank of Private. He was attached to 35th Division, 137th Infantry Regiment. Army Private Hoehn was killed in action on September 26, 1918. He was posthumously awarded the World War I Victory Medal and the Purple Heart.
Liberty, MO
Join Liberty Parks & Rec, VFW Post 4043, and American Legion Post 95 for a celebration in observance of Veterans Day. The event will be held at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre inside the Liberty Community Center at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11. This year's keynote speaker is Steve Hansen, a veteran and former Director of Public Works for the City of Liberty. Each year, both the VFW and American Legion select a member to be recognized with an award at the event.
The Liberty Community Center is located at 1600 S Withers Road, Liberty, MO 64068 Phone: (816) 439-4360
Olathe, KS
The state and national award-winning Olathe Veterans Memorial Park features the only Four Chaplains Memorial in the Midwest. The Stanley T. Adams Memorial which honors a hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient includes bricks etched with veterans' names and tiles, a walking path, and benches for reflection. The Olathe Veterans Memorial Park is located at 410 E Dennis, Olathe, KS 66061.
Merriam, KS Located in the center of Antioch Park is a memorial honoring the 57 Johnson County service men and women who lost their lives or are still reported Missing in Action during the Vietnam War. The bronze plaque memorial is the first Vietnam Memorial placed in the metro Kansas City region and is mounted onto a sculpted boulder which also bears a map outline of Vietnam. Visitors may view the memorial during park operating hours of 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road in Merriam.
Shawnee, KS
Aztec Shawnee Theater is privileged to honor our service men and women on Veterans Day with live music, re-enactments, comedy, and historical displays. Enjoy music by local singer/songwriter Sara Morgan. General Dwight D. Eisenhower re-enactor Bill Nicks, Jr. will convey IKE’s WW II experiences including, D-Day, VE Day, the great leaders he served with, his schooling, his leadership of NATO, and how, as President and Commander-In-Chief he avoided Vietnam, his Cold War dealings with the Soviets and much more.
Tickets are only $10 each plus Eventbrite fees and tax online or $15 plus tax at the door the night of the show (based on availability). Aztec Shawnee Theater will be donating several free tickets to veterans. This is a family friendly event. Visit the website for more information or to purchase tickets.
Friday, November 11th, 2022, at 7:00 PM - Aztec Theater: 11119 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS 66203 | Phone: (913) 207-4147