Veterans Day In King County: Where To Go Thursday

KING COUNTY, WA — There are a few ways this Veterans Day to honor those who have served in the armed forces, including a ceremony on the Eastside and a special celebration at Seattle's Museum of Flight. However, the annual remembrance ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetary is on hold for a second year, with organizers citing ongoing COVID-19 concerns and limitations. The cemetery plans to place flags at each gravesite and share videos on their Facebook page.

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.

Here are Veterans Day a few events planned around King County on Thursday:

Eastside Veterans Day Ceremony

• Where: Sunset Hills Memorial Park (1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue)
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021
• Time: 11 a.m.
  • Details from the AARP: Honoring Veterans, active duty military, and their families with special recognition of Vietnam Veterans, Gold Star Mothers, and widows and mothers of deceased Vietnam Veterans and observing the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
  • More info

Veterans Day Service

• Where: Issaquah City Hall (130 East Sunset Way, Issaquah)
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
• Time: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Details: VFW Post #3436 will lead a Veterans Day service outside City Hall, including the raising of the colors.
• More info

Veterans Day Celebration at the Museum of Flight

• Where: Museum of Flight (9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle)
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
• Time: 11 a.m.
  • Details: The museum will host a keynote speech from retired Lt. General Robert Otto of the US Air Force. The event is free with museum admission, and will also be streamed online.
  • More info

Veterans Day Flag Retirement Ceremony

• Where: Covington Community Park (180th Ave SE)
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
• When: 11 a.m.
• Event page

King County veterans will also have the opportunity to visit state and national parks free of charge for Veterans Day and can find free or discounted food and drinks at several participating restaurants around the region, including Starbucks. The city of Issaquah also shared a list of resources and assistance available for veterans around our region.

Since Veterans Day is a federal holiday, residents can expect some of the usual interruptions to daily life, with most banks, schools, courts and government services closed.