Veterans Day In Walnut Creek: How To Honor Military Personnel

WALNUT CREEK, CA — The post office and most banks will be closed in Walnut Creek on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

The Walnut Creek Veterans Day Ceremony starts at 11 am at the Lesher Center. This year's event features a focus on the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"Our keynote speaker is Mike Conklin, Chairman and CEO of Sentinels for Freedom, an organization founded to aid severely wounded, post-9/11 veterans transition successfully back to civilian life.

"As always, the Walnut Creek Concert Band will provide the musical backdrop. We hope you can join us for this very special event."

The East Bay Regional Park District will honor active and retired military members on Veterans Day with free parking and park entry at all regional parks. Walnut Creek Area parks include:

• Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area
• Diablo Foothills Regional Park
• Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

Veterans Day, commemorated annually on Nov. 11, was first celebrated in 1919 to honor those who fought in World War I. It was initially called Armistice Day and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The holiday’s origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly following the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.

Restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active-military members.

• Where Vets & Military Can Eat Free On Veterans Day 2021