Veterans Day In Hoboken: How To Honor Military Personnel

HOBOKEN, NJ — The post office and most banks will be closed in Hoboken and surrounding area on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Hoboken town services and administrative business offices will also be closed that day. The city also announced that street sweeping and Hop shuttle service will be suspended in recognition of Veterans Day.

The city will host its annual Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. at the World War I Memorial located near the basketball courts in Elysian Park at 11th and Hudson streets. The ceremony is hosted by the Hoboken American Legion Post 107 and Hoboken Elks Lodge 74.

In addition, The Hoboken Historical Museum and Thomas Edison Film Festival will host two short films to commemorate Veterans Day. The event will run from 7-8:30 p.m. and will include the showing of “Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses” and “Who Won The War.”

“Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses” tells the story of a group of heroic World War II veterans who vividly share their liberation journeys, drawing parallels between the past and present.

“Who Won the War” tells the story of an orphaned and partially blind Hiroshima survivor who was invited by the American Government to the United States to “regain his health.” Takashi’s story is the journey of an angry young man whose misfortunes begin after the Hiroshima bombing. It is a story of revenge, acceptance of the past, and forgiveness.

The screening starts at 7 p.m. will will take place outdoors in the 13th Street walkway. Listening devices are provided. The event is free, but donations are welcome.

Hoboken Public Library will host Veteran’s Day Story Time, which will take place at 4 p.m. at Church Square Park. Veteran “Major Mark” will be reading stories Social distancing must be maintained, and masks must be worn for anyone 2 year of age and up. Registration is required for this event. Questions may be directed to Ashley.Hoffman@hoboken.bccls.org.

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.

While some ceremonies, parades and services may be canceled or altered as the coronavirus pandemic continues, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active-military members.

Applebee's, Bob Evans and Chili's Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.

Veterans Day is somewhat related to, and sometimes mistaken for, Memorial Day, the federal holiday on the final Monday of May that is dedicated to those who have died while serving the United States.