National Veterans Day Observance to take place Nov. 11
The 62nd annual National Veterans Day Observance to honor all veterans who served and continue to serve, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to these events and should plan to be in place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the Memorial Amphitheater no later than 9:30 a.m.
Schedule:
8 a.m. – Arlington National Cemetery opens. Free shuttles to the Memorial Amphitheater begin. Seating is first-come, first served basis.
10:15 a.m. – The last shuttle departs from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater (or earlier if the Memorial Amphitheater is full)
10:30 a.m. – Prelude Concert by the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” begins at the Memorial Amphitheater
11 a.m. – Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (space is limited to standing room only for the wreath laying ceremony)
11:05 a.m. – National Observance Program hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs begins at the Memorial Amphitheater
Noon – National Observance Program concludes
Free parking is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center parking garage. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to the Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. The last shuttle from the Welcome Center is at 10:15 a.m. or when the Memorial Amphitheater is full. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance is over, shuttles will provide transportation back to the Welcome Center until 2 p.m.
DOD identification card holders will not be permitted to walk from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall into the cemetery. Instead, they must park their vehicles on post and board a free shuttle bus at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. The shuttle service is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to Fort Myer Memorial Chapel.
Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the amphitheater for the official program.
Clear plastic water bottles are permitted. Prohibited items on the premises include: large bags and backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type (including pocket knives, pepper spray or mace), laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, insulated beverage containers and anything that could potentially be used as a weapon. This applies to off-duty local, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement officers covered by LEOSA, or on-duty officers not directly involved in event security. Dangerous weapons will be confiscated and disposed of prior to entry; visitors possessing firearms will be denied access to the event and immediately escorted off ANC grounds. Family Members with permanent passes will have access to enter the cemetery during normal business hours as usual. Due to security requirements, vehicle access to certain gravesites may be limited.