Arlington Veterans Day 2017: Parade, What's Open, Closed

ARLINGTON, MA — As you may have guessed from all the American flags at the high school, Veterans Day is upon us. This year Veterans Day, a national holiday established in 1926 to honor men and women who have served in the military, falls on a Saturday but it's being mostly observed on Friday. Still, the parade will be on Saturday. Here's the scoop:

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day marks an armistice, or a temporary cessation of hostilities, between Allied nations and Germany during the first world ward. In November of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.
However, Armistice Day was originally set aside to honor veterans of World War 1, but following World War 2 in 1954, Congress amended the act of 1938 by striking out the word Armistice and replacing it with the word Veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower later issued a Veterans Day Proclamation which stated:

"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

Arlington Parade

The annual Veterans Day Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Marchers will step off at Adams Street on Massachusetts Avenue and usually continues on to Monument Square in Arlington Center for the ceremony and placing of wreathes, but this year because of the cold weather it will take place inside the Central Fire Station. This event will still be held rain or shine.

It's part of the town's effort to honor the men and women who proudly served, and continue to serve the country.

Here's a quick round-up of what's open and closed in Arlington:

If you know of specific businesses that are open or closed, help out your fellow neighbors by telling us in the comment section!

What's Closed Friday

• Public Schools
• Most banks will be closed to observe the holiday

What's Open

• Town Offices (open Friday)
• Public Libraries (closed Saturday)
• Post offices (closed Saturday)

The following will be open at the business owner's discretion

• Restaurants
• Convenience Stores
• Liquor stores
• Retail stores (check with your local retailers first)
• Both the MBTA and the commuter rail will operate on a regular schedule. THE RIDE Service will also operate on schedule. View the schedules here >>>

Photo courtesy Arlington Police Department.