ST. LOUIS — Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11, and the St. Louis area is honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel for their service with numerous ceremonies, events and deals.
Here are some of the events happening across the Bi-state this year.
Veterans Day events
See STL: Vietnam in St. Louis
- When: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
- Where: Downtown St. Louis
- This two-hour walking tour will guide you through St. Louis’ many Vietnam War stories, from Agent Orange and anti-protests to breaking news, legal battles and one of America’s most wanted fugitives. The tour costs $20 per person or $15 for Missouri Historical Society members.
Veterans Care Day
- When: Thursday, Nov. 9
- Where: SIU School of Dental Medicine Main Clinic, 1700 Annex St., Alton, IL 62002
- The SIU School of Dental Medicine is offering free exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions to those who have military service. Appointments are required. Call 618-474-7200 to register.
Veterans Day Breakfast
- When: 7-10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10
- Where: American Legion Post 208, 223 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Ballwin, MO 63021
- The City of Manchester is hosting a free breakfast for all active, inactive and retired military personnel. No registration is required.
St. Patrick Center’s 8th Annual Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk
- When: 7-9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103
- The annual 5K in downtown St. Louis benefits the St. Patrick Center. The race is accessible and accommodating to those with wheelchairs, strollers or dogs. Sign up to participate here.
Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk
- When: 7-9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103
- The annual 5K in downtown St. Louis benefits the St. Patrick Center. The race is accessible and accommodating to those with wheelchairs, strollers or dogs. Sign up to participate here.
NIC Holiday Bazaar & Jamboree
- When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Soulard Park, South 8th St., St. Louis, MO 63104
- Neighbors Impacting Communities’ inaugural event to honor U.S. veterans will include music, dancers, a vendor fair and food trucks. All vendors will offer a special discount or gift for veterans with an ID.
6th Annual Veterans Day 5K
- When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: 201 Main St., Troy, MO 63379
- Registration for the run closes Nov. 8.
Veterans Day Ceremony
- When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: St. Peters City Hall, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters, MO 63376
- The ceremony honoring the men and women of the Armed Forces will feature guest speakers Col. Kevin Golinghorst, who served for over 27 years in the U.S. Army as an engineer officer, and Capt. Andrew Bender, who is responsible for Coast Guard operations across the Heartland’s waterways.
St. Charles Salutes Veterans Day Celebration
- When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Lewis and Clark Boathouse Parking Lot, 1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301
- The celebration honoring the St. Charles community’s veterans will begin with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by a ceremony at the memorial and closed with a fireworks display. There will also be a venter fair with music and more.
St. Louis Veterans Day Parade
- When: 10:30 am., Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Parade begins at North 18th and Olive streets and proceeds to the Soldiers Memorial Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103
O’Fallon, Missouri, Veterans Day Ceremony
- When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk, 800 Belleau Creek Road, O’Fallon, MO 63366
- Mayor Bill Hennessy will provide welcoming remarks and U.S. Army and Vietnam War veteran Richard Sienkiewicz will be the event’s keynote speaker.
St. Louis Veterans Day Ceremony
- When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
- Where: Soldiers Memorial Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103
- The ceremony will include the 2023 Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and words from keynote speaker Major Gen. William B. Blaylock II, former commanding general of the 35th Infantry Division. A car show will follow featuring vehicles from the downtown parade.
Veterans Day deals
Casey's
- Active service members and veterans can get a free coffee or fountain drink (any size) on Veterans Day. Guests can also round up their total at the register to support Hope For The Warriors and Children of Fallen Patriots through Nov. 30.
- Active military and on-duty, uniformed first responders can get free drinks year-round.
Golden Corral
- All Golden Corral locations will be offering active military and veterans a free redeemable dinner from 5 p.m. to close on Monday, Nov. 13. Identification is required, and the deal is not available for family members.
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream
- Veterans, active duty and retired military can get a free lunch buffet with a drink on Veterans Day.
Lion’s Choice
- Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free original roast beef sandwich by stating they are a veteran or presenting a valid military ID at checkout on Veterans Day.
- Military members can also get 20% off all year long at Lion’s Choice.
Missouri State Parks
- All veterans and active-duty military who camp at state park campgrounds on Saturday will receive a voucher for a free night of camping with a valid ID. Free tours of Missouri state historic sites will also be offered Friday through Sunday.
- State parks offer a $2-per-night camping discount year-round at park campgrounds for military personnel and their families.
PJ’s Coffee
- Veterans and active-duty military can get a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew iced coffee on Veterans Day.
Scooters
- Veterans and military members can get a free handcrafted drink of any size on Veterans Day with valid military identification.
Smokee Mo’s BBQ
- The St. Louis-area restaurant is offering all veterans 50% off any sandwich with one side on Veterans Day. Vets can also get 10% off every day.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Day use fees will be waived at recreation areas in honor of Veterans Day. The fee waiver applies to the St. Louis District's five multipurpose reservoirs - Carlyle Lake, Rend Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Wappapello Lake and Mark Twain Lake – and all Corps of Engineers day-use areas across the country.
White Castle
- Veterans and active-duty military can get a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal on Veterans Day when they present a valid military ID.
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