What's Open, Closed For Veterans Day 2021 Around Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The post office and most banks will be closed in Fredericksburg 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.

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.

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

• Fredericksburg government offices: City of Fredericksburg government offices are closed on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Courts: Courts will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11. See operating updates from the Fredericksburg Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court.
• Fredericksburg City Public Schools: The city school system will be open on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Spotsylvania County Public Schools: The county school system will be open on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Stafford County Public Schools: Nov. 11 is an observed holiday for the Stafford County school system. Schools and offices will be closed.
• Animal shelter: The Fredericksburg SPCA will be open on Thursday, Nov. 11. The SPCA is open by appointment-only from Wednesday through Sunday.
• Parks and Recreation: All trails and parks are open.
• Fredericksburg Visitor Center: The visitor center is open 1o a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Fredericksburg Regional Transit: FRED will not provide transit services on Thursday, Nov. 11. Its administrative offices will also be closed.
• Virginia Railway Express: VRE will not be providing service on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Libraries: The Central Rappahannock Regional Library's locations will be open on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Post offices: Closed on Thursday, Nov. 11.
• Trash: The holiday will not affect the City of Fredericksburg's trash collection.

RELATED: Fredericksburg To Host Veterans Day Procession, Ceremony