Veterans Day in Bloomfield: What You Need to Know

Today is Veterans Day, the day dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have served in all branches of the U.S. military.

Are you a veteran or are you looking for ways to celebrate this special day? Here's what you need to know before you head out:

What's open and closed

• and offices will be closed on Veterans Day.
• is closed Friday, and will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, while will remain open Friday, kicking off the first day of its  at 7 p.m.
• The  will be closed on Friday.
• Most area banks will be closed on Friday, with normal business hours resuming Saturday.
• Don't think the kids get a day off school:  will still be in session.

Area events

• , Birmingham
  When: 11 a.m. Friday
  Where: 
  More Information: The ceremony will be led by the Piety Hill chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• 
  When: 11 a.m. Friday
  Where: Veterans Park at 500 W. Big Beaver Rd. in Troy
  More Information: The ceremony will be hosted by the city of Troy
• 
  When: 11 a.m.
  Where: Royal Oak City Hall at 221 E. Third S. in Royal Oak
  More Information: The event includes the St. Paul's Methodist Childrens Choir, the Ninth Kentucky Infantry and members of various VFW posts.
• Veterans Day Ceremony at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly
  When: 11 a.m.
  Where: 4200 Belford Rd. in Holly
  More Information: The ceremony will feature an invocation by the Rev. Steven L. Woodford, chaplain to the Michigan Air National Guard; a wreath presentation by members of all service branches; and the playing of Taps by Ric Winston.

Several area organizations celebrated Veterans Day early. A brass quintet from the Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orcehstra puts on its second Coffee and Classics event at the Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council and Center, featuring patriotic favorites.

Deals for veterans

• Oakland County Parks — Veterans can receive a $10 golf coupon at any of the five Oakland County Parks golf courses, valid for green feeds on a future visit during the 2012 season, on Friday. Servicemen and women must provide proof of service.
• Applebees (Madison Heights) — Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special, limited six-item menu on Friday.
• Hooters (Troy) — All veterans and active duty eat free on Friday. Entrees must be selected from a special Veterans Day menu.
• Krispy Kreme (Troy) — All active dut, retirees and veterans get a free doughnut on Friday. Call ahead to make sure your Krispy Kreme is participating.
• T.G.I. Friday's (Troy) — When you buy one item, veterans and service members receive another free Nov. 11-14.
• Home Depot (Troy) —  All veterans receive a 10 percent discount on Friday.
• Build-a-Bear Workshop (Somerset, Troy) — Members of the armed services receive a 20 percent discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction.
• (Bloomfield Hills) — All veterans receive a 10 percent discount on Friday. The offer is available only in stores and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

History of the holiday

Veterans Day was first celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919 as "Armistace Day," intended to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and in 1938, Nov. 11 became a national holiday. It wasn't until 1954 that the name was changed to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars.

Looking for some fast facts about Veterans Day? According to the 2010 American Community Survey:

• There were 21.8 million military veterans in the United States in 2010. Of those, 1.6 million were women.
• In 2010, there are 9 million veteran age 65 and older. At the other end, 1.7 million were younger than 35.
• Of the number of total living veterans, 7.6 million – or 35 percent — served during the Vietnam-era (1964-75).
• In the 2008 presidential election, 15.8 million, of 71 percent, veterans voted.