Des Moines Area Veterans Day Programs, Events

As this week draws to a close, a number of programs and special events are planned around central Iowa to honor the service of military personnel and veterans. Veterans Day is November 11 each year and since it falls on Saturday this year, Friday is the federally observed holiday.

More than a dozen local observances are planned and some are scheduled into next week. (See a list of area events, plus holiday closings and military discount offers below.)

Holiday History

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, on what was considered the first anniversary of the end of World War I. But the war didn't officially end until June 28, 1919. It was the armistice — the calling of a truce to end the fighting — between the Allied nations and Germany that occurred on the November date after both sides agreed the fighting would stop on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938, according to history.com. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 officially renamed the holiday Veterans Day. A bill passed in 1968 changed the celebration to the fourth Monday in October, but President Gerald Ford changed the date back to November 11 in 1975 to honor the significant date that occurred during the "war to end all wars."

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead, but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. The holiday also is celebrated in Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada, though dates vary and the holiday is typically referred to as Remembrance Day or Remembrance Sunday.

Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States today, according to history.com:

• 16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war.
• 5.2 million veterans served in peacetime.
• 2 million veterans are women.
• 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War.
• 5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War.
• Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 558,000 are still alive.
• 2 million veterans served during the Korean War.
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.

Holiday Schedules

Government offices: City offices in Des Moines and Johnston will be closed Friday. West Des Moines, Ankeny and Urbandale city offices will be open. State of Iowa offices will be closed Friday.

Libraries: Des Moines Public Library branches will be closed Friday and Saturday. Johnston Public Library will be closed Saturday. Ankeny, Urbandale and West Des Moines libraries will be open regular hours.

Garbage collection: Metro Waste Authority and Waste Management collection and services follow the regular schedule.

Buses: DART buses will run on the regular schedule and veterans will ride free Friday and Saturday when showing a service-related ID.

Driver Licensing: All Iowa Department of Transportation business locations will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov 11, but open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13.

Programs and Special Events

Webster Elementary School, 12955 Aurora Ave. in Urbandale, will hold a veteran's breakfast for its community members at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, followed by a Veteran's Day Program at 9:30 a.m. in the gym.

Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St., has a number of programs:

• "World War I Camp Dodge: Home Away from Home," with Michael Vogt, curator of the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston discussing the role of Camp Dodge as the 88th Infantry Division training center during World War I. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.
• The documentary "The Great War: WWI , America Comes of Age" was scheduled in three parts on consecutive Sundays; part 2 will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 and part 3 on Nov. 19.
• "Friday Flicks for Adults" at 1 p.m. will feature World War I movies this month: "Legends of the Fall" on Nov. 10 and "Gallipoli" Nov. 17.
• "Monthly Movie Night for Adults" at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 will feature "Flyboys," about the country's first fighter pilots.

North High School U.S. Marine Corps JROTC Veterans Day program, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10. A tribute to veterans from all conflicts. Wear your Post Hat, Legion shirt, or service cap.

Iowa Veterans Cemetery ceremony, 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Iowa's only national veterans cemetery, located in Van Meter, will hold a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Veterans Day Walk, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Walk a 5K or 10K, beginning at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, proceeding through the East Village and the Capitol Gardens, around the State Capitol grounds and past several veterans' memorials.

Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center, annual Veterans Day Program at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Honoring and remembering all men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Held in Roms 101-103; enter through northwest doors of the Convention Center. Band concert will precede the program at 10:45 a.m.

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston, will have a book signing and meeting with Dr. Jon Kerstetter, author of "Crossings: A Doctor-Soldier's Story," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Kerstetter is a former Iowa National Guard medical doctor who severed three tours in Iraq. His book addresses a life of transformations: from civilian to doctor to soldier, trained to heal yet trained to kill, and having to prioritize both roles in war. The museum will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11.

The Iowa Military Veterans Band concludes its 2017 concert series with the traditional Veterans Day Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Des Moines Civic Center. Free; general admission seating.

Iowa State Capitol wreath-laying ceremony, 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 17, at the Vietnam Memorial. Wreaths will be laid at the Korean War Memorial and Vietnam War Monument and the Marine Corps League will perform the ceremonial act of a 3-volley salute followed by Taps.

Veterans Discounts

The following local free or discounted offers are available to veterans:

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Science Center of Iowa, $2 off admission for all military veterans and their immediate families on Saturday, Nov. 11.

State Historical Museum of Iowa, featuring "Iowa and the Civil War" and "Iowa and the Great War" exhibits. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Free admission.

In addition, a number of websites list free or discounted Veterans Day meals, programs and services for those who have served. One of the more comprehensive lists with promotions organized by date can be found on TheMilitaryWallet.com.

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