ST. LOUIS — Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11, and the St. Louis area is honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel for their service with numerous ceremonies, events, deals and freebies.
Here are some of the events and deals happening across the Bi-state this year.
Veterans Day events
- When: 11 a.m. to noon Friday.
- Where: The parade begins at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2211 Tenbrook Road, Arnold, MO 63010.
- When: 9 a.m. Saturday.
- Where: The course begins on Market Street, west of 13th Street.
- 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.
- When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
- Where: The parade begins at 18th and Olive streets and makes its way to the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, 1315 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63103. The wreath-laying ceremony will follow at about 11:30 a.m. on the south steps of Soldiers Memorial.
- When: The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, a ceremony and celebration follows from noon to 5 p.m. and it ends with fireworks at 5 p.m.
- Where: Lewis and Clark Boathouse Parking Lot, 1050 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301.
- The celebration in the Lewis and Clark Boathouse Parking Lot will feature live music, food, drinks and vendors with resources and products for veterans and their families.
- When: 1 p.m. Sunday.
- Where: The parade begins at Bangert Park, 275 South New Florissant Road, Florissant, MO 63031, and ends at the VFW Post 4105, 410 Rue St. Francois St., where there will be a festival with food, music and the Veteran of the Year Ceremony.
- When: 9:30 a.m. Monday (arrive 15 minutes early).
- Where: First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Road, Belleville, IL 62223.
- St. Louis Area Foodbank is hosting a drive-through food distribution event for veterans, active military and their immediate families. Bring a military or veteran ID. A mix of fresh and shelf-stable food items and personal hygiene products will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. A community resource team will also be on site.
- When: 10 a.m. to noon Monday.
- Where: Cultural Arts Centre inside City Hall, 1 St. Peters Centre Blvd., St. Peters, MO 63376.
- The ceremony will feature guest speakers Sgt. Maj. Serena J. Rowan, U.S. Army, and Cmdr. Patricia Lee, U.S. Navy Reserves.
- When: 11 a.m. Monday.
- Where: First Baptist Church, 1111 East Highway 50, O’Fallon, IL 62269.
- The ceremony will feature guest speaker Maj. Gen. Charles D. Bolton, USAF Commander, 18th Air Force, AMC. Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals and decorations.
- When: 11 a.m. to noon Monday.
- Where: 30 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220.
- When: 2:30 p.m. Monday (arrive 15 minutes early).
- Where: Starr Parking Lot, 611 South 8th St., St. Louis, MO 63102.
- St. Louis Area Foodbank is hosting a drive-through food distribution event for veterans, active military and their immediate families. Bring a military or veteran ID. A mix of fresh and shelf-stable food items and personal hygiene products will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. A community resource team will also be on site.
- When: Thursday, Nov. 14.
- Where: SIU School of Dental Medicine Main Clinic, 1700 Annex St., Alton, IL 62002.
- Veterans are invited to receive free comprehensive dental care, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, filings and extractions, on the Thursday after Veterans Day. Registration is required, and care will be provided by appointment only. To register, call 618-474-7012.
Veterans Day deals, freebies
City Museum will offer free admission for active and retired military members from Saturday through Monday with an active or retired military ID. Family and friends of service members can also buy discounted admission for $18, down from the regular price of $22. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Veterans Day, the World Bird Sanctuary will present a special bald eagle display at the museum featuring Liberty the Eagle.
Veterans and active-duty military can take their Veterans Day celebrations to new heights with a free ride on the iconic St. Louis Wheel. On Monday, those with military IDs can get a complimentary spin on the 200-foot attraction at St. Louis Union Station. The St. Louis Aquarium and other Union Station attractions are also offering a 20% discount for active and retired military members.
4 Hands Brewing Co. is stepping up to support veteran housing by donating $1 from each case of State Wide beer sold to the Veterans Community Project, an organization that builds tiny homes for veterans in St. Louis and Kansas City.
All active military and veterans with government IDs will get a free kolache of any kind and a cup of Katz coffee from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. The offer excludes croissants, Polish varieties, and espresso drinks. The Kolache Factory is at 2604 South Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, MO 63144.
McArthur’s Bakery will honor veterans with a free breakfast or lunch meal on Veterans Day at its Lemay Ferry location in South St. Louis County and at the Pioneer Bakery Café in Kirkwood. McArthur’s also features a selection of patriotic cakes.
Anyone with a valid military ID will receive a free medium drink on Monday at any Scooter's Coffee location. Order-ahead is not available for the promotion. Only one redemption per customer.
All veterans and active military members can receive a free medium hot coffee or cold brew on Veterans Day with a valid military or veteran ID.
7 Brew is offering veterans a 25% discount on any drink when they show a valid military or veteran ID on Veterans Day.
Veterans and active-duty military members can take advantage of the Pork Steak Special, which is 50% off one pork steak, two sides and a drink. It's available for dine-in or pickup with a valid military ID at participating locations.
Missouri State Parks, historic sites
All veterans and active-duty military who camp at Missouri State Parks on Veterans Day will receive a promotional code for a free night of camping. The veteran must be staying the night of Nov. 11 and show a valid ID when checking in to receive the promotional code. They are also invited to take free tours of Missouri state historic sites from Nov. 9-11 with valid identification.
