What's Open, Closed For Veterans Day 2021 In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The post office and most banks will be closed in Falls Church on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

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.

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.

The City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Falls Church Veterans Memorial, in front of the Community Center at 223 Little Falls St.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony is Jerome Gibbon, Catholic War Veterans Commander, Falls Church Veteran’s Council Chairman, and fellow at Washington Academy of Science and Instructor at Capital Technology University.

Here is a full list of schedule changes in and around Falls Church for Veterans Day.

City of Falls Church government offices: City Hall and all government offices are closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, including the Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer's Office, and Permits Counter.

Fairfax County government offices: Fairfax County Government offices are closed on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Falls Church City Public Schools: All Falls Church City Public Schools are closed Thursday, Nov. 11.

Courts: Arlington and Fairfax County courts do not operate on Thursday, Nov. 11. See operating updates from Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court; and Arlington County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Animal shelter: The Fairfax County Animal Shelter offers services by appointment.

Libraries: Mary Riley Styles Public Library is closed on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Department of Motor Vehicles: All Virginia DMV locations in Northern Virginia are closed on Nov. 11. Many DMV services are available either online or by visiting dmvNOW.com/appt to schedule an appointment.

Post offices: Closed on Nov. 11.

Community center: The Falls Church Community Center will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday.

Trash and recycling: City of Falls Church collections 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.

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