Charles Jackson Pinkney, a U.S. Army veteran in a 1954 photo. Credit: Courtesy of the Pinkney Family Archives

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is the time to celebrate  the service of all U.S. veterans.

It is a federal holiday observed each year on Nov. 11. Banks and government offices will be closed, including post offices; you won’t receive any mail that day.

Signal Cleveland put together this list of some area events happening to honor our service men and women starting this weekend.

Veterans Day Appreciation Ride

Rock-N-Roll City Harley Davidson will host their Veterans Appreciation patch ride on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 12 to 4 p.m. The ride will start at the  dealership, 4985 W. 150th St., Cleveland. Riders will return there for a free meal. Registration opens at 11 a.m.. Find more information, click here.

Veterans Day Fun Ruck- 9 miles

Kevin Gipson and the Burning River Ruck Club are inviting veterans and their supporters to a nine-mile Veterans Day fun ruck, Saturday, Nov. 9.

Starting at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, participants will travel to the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, Veterans Memorial Bridge and Grays Armory. This is a patched event through GORUCK. The money raised will go to the United War Veterans Council. Learn more here.

Cleveland Saxon Dance Group Veterans Day Luncheon

On Sunday, Nov. 10, Cleveland Saxon Dance Group will host a Veterans Day luncheon at the Westside Sachesenheim, 7001 Denison Ave. at 12:30 p.m. The group will serve a homemade Goulash lunch to honor veterans of all countries. Meals will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for veterans, $15 for everyone else. Purchase tickets here.

Lakewood Park Veterans Day Ceremony

People will gather at Lakewood Park for a tribute to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces. The free ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the park located at 14532 Lake Ave. in Lakewood. This year’s program will include performances by the Lakewood High School Band and a rifle salute by the Joint Veterans Honor Guard. Coffee and doughnuts will be offered in the Woman’s Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park following the event. More information can be found here.

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Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Veterans Day Ceremony

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument commemorating the American Civil War is located in Cleveland's Public Square.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument commemorating the American Civil War is located in Cleveland’s Public Square. Credit: Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument organization will honor local veterans Nov. 11, 11 a.m. during a formal ceremony in the Monument’s Memorial Room. As part of the annual event, wreaths will be placed by local veterans from the “Stillwaters” Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club for each branch of service. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.

Cleveland’s Veterans Day Parade

The City of Cleveland Veterans Day Parade will step off at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in front of Cleveland City Hall (601 Lakeside Ave.). Marching bands, military units, veterans and community organizations will march along Lakeside Avenue, East 9th Street, and Superior Avenue to Public Square, then return to City Hall via Ontario and Lakeside avenues. More information here.

Veteran’s Day Concert

Join the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Library for patriotic music on Veterans Day. A concert performed by The High Notes will start at 3 p.m. in meeting room 84. The branch is located at 25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Click here for directions to the branch.

Veterans Resource Fair

Estabrook Recreation Center will host a Veteran’s Resource Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 40 veteran-related vendors, refreshments, giveaways and more. This event is free and open to all. The rec center is located at 4125 Fulton Rd. For more information, click here.

Veteran Photographers Speak

Photographer Mychal Lilly (left) with his father, Richard A. Lilly, a U.S. Army veteran. Credit: Courtesy of Mychal Lilly

Join The Western Reserve Historical Society on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. for “Veteran Photographers Speak on Veteran’s Day Weekend.” Speakers will include U.S. Military veteran and professional artist, Charles Jackson Pinkney and photographer Mychal Lilly, whose father, Richard A. Lilly was a U.S. Army veteran. The event has sold out of tickets, though you can watch it on a screen in the museum. You also can view the conversation from home. To check out the livestream of the event, click here.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium Open Veterans Day Weekend

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is offering free general admission and parking to active-duty military and veterans from Friday, Nov. 8 to Monday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must present your corresponding badge or ID. For more information, click here.

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