Newton Veterans Day 2017: Where, When And What's Open

NEWTON, MA — 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 the school holiday is Friday, but the Newton remembrance ceremony and food drive will be Saturday.

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."

Newton's Veterans Day Observance will be Saturday, Nov. 11. On Veterans Day the city will begin by having a donation drive at the American Legion Post 440 at 295 California St.

"We have teamed-up with Cell Phones for Soldiers and Operation American Soldier to assist in collecting these care package items," reads a press release from the Mayor's office.

The donation drive will begin at 10 a.m. and then they will have light refreshments and coffee along with patriotic themed children’s activities, crafts and games. All who participate in the donation drive will be entered to win an I-Pad Mini Tablet at the conclusion of the ceremony which will begin promptly at 11 a.m.

What's Closed Friday

• Public Schools
• Most banks will be closed to observe the holiday
• City Offices
• Library (and Saturday)
• The Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave (both Friday and Saturday)

What's Open

• 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 >>>

Trash?

Please be advised that there will NOT be a delayed pickup for trash due to Veterans Day. Although city offices will be closed on Friday November 10th, there will not be a trash pickup delay on that date. Residents with regular Friday pickups should put their barrels curbside as they regularly do.
Additionally, the Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave will be closed both Friday 11/10 and Saturday 11/11 due to the holiday.

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Newton Patch Got a tip? Email Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com