Veterans Day 2022: Events, What's Open, Closed Around Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — On Veterans Day, we honor all of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The federal holiday on Friday, Nov. 11 will come with special events honoring veterans and schedule changes for local services.

The City of Falls Church's Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street. The keynote speaker is retired Lt. Col. William A. Schmittel, the senior attorney in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Here is the schedule:

• Master of Ceremonies: Harry Shovlin, American Legion Post 130
• Posting of Colors: Color Guard, American Legion Post 130
• Remembrance for POW/MIA’s: Jorome Gibbon, Greater Falls Church Veterans Council, Chairman
• National Anthem: Vocals by retired Sgt. Major Robert Petillo of the US Army Band and City of Falls Church Concert Band under director Davyd Breeskin
• Invocation: Greg Loewer, Columbia Baptist Church, Pastor for Missions
• Welcoming: Mayor David Tarter
• Keynote Address: Retired Lt. Col. William A. Schmittel, Esq., U.S. Army
• Presentation of Wreath in Memory of Departed Veterans: Daughters of the American Revolution, Falls Church Chapter, Sue Martin Stewart, Regent, escorted by Richard Anton and Howard Chatham
• Reading of the Names
• Revealing of the Plaque: Marybeth Connelly, Director, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement FCCPS and City Council Member
• Prayer for the Departed Veterans: Greg Loewer, Columbia Baptist Church, Pastor for Missions
• Taps
• Retiring of Colors: Honor Guard, American Legion Post 130
• God Bless America: Vocals by retired Sgt. Major Robert Petillo, of the US Army Band and City of Falls Church Concert Band under director Davyd Breeskin

The ceremony is planned by the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council, which is a collaboration between American Legion Post 130 and 225, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9274, the Catholic War Veterans Post 1652, Coalition of RVN Veterans Associations of Washington DC & Vicinities, and the Korean Vietnam Veterans Association of USA.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9274 will also host an open house from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 7118 Shreve Road, Falls Church, VA. Community members are invited for food and drinks, including dishes from the DMV Vietnamese American Society. At 3 p.m., there will be a presentation with commander's message, local dignatary remarks, flag retirement ceremony with Cub Scouts Den 10 Pack 652 and scholarship awards.

Meridian High School will have its own Veterans Day recognition from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will recognize Veterans Day with free admission at its nine recreation centers for veterans, active duty military and their families on Nov. 11. The admission includes entrance to the locations' pools, fitness rooms, gyms and racquetball courts. The closest location to the City of Falls Church is the Providence Rec Center, 7525 Marc Drive, Falls Church, VA. Military identification is required for the free admission.

City of Falls Church and Fairfax County government will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 11. Below are other schedule changes to know around Falls Church.

Falls Church City Public Schools: No schedule change on Nov. 11.

Fairfax County Public Schools: Nov. 11 is a student holiday.

Community centers: Falls Church Community Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Nov. 11. Fairfax County's Neighborhood and Community Services facilities will be closed on Nov. 11. Fastran will not operate on Nov. 11.

Courts: The Arlington County and Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will be closed on Nov. 11.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: All Virginia DMV customer service centers will be closed on Nov. 11.

Fairfax Connector: Buses will run on holiday weekday service on Nov. 11. That means all regular weekday routes operate, except Routes 231, 232, 335, 351, 393, 394, 395, 396, 432, 461, 494, 495, 556, 585, 599, 624, 634, 697, 698, 699, 715, 722, 724 834, 835 and 985.

Libraries: Mary Riley Styles Public Library and all Fairfax County Public Library locations are closed on Nov. 11.

Metro: Metrorail will operate on a Saturday holiday schedule from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Metrobus will run on a Saturday supplemental schedule. For more information, visit www.wmata.com/service.

Post offices: Closed on Nov. 11.

Recreation centers (Fairfax County): Open regular hours to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11. Veterans, active duty military and their families get free admission with military identification.

Trash and recycling collection: City of Falls Church collections typically happen on Wednesdays. Fairfax County collection customers will have collection services on Nov. 11. Private collection customers should check with their hauler for any changes.

Trash and recycling centers: The I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex are open regular hours on Nov. 11.