Traditional parades may be out of the picture this Veterans Day (Wed Nov 11), but there are still plenty of free meals, online ceremonies, and other COVID-safe ways to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. Read on for virtual and in-person options in Seattle, Portland, and nationwide.
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Events are online unless otherwise noted.
SEATTLE
EVENTS
Auburn's Salute to Veterans 2020
Past Event
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This COVID-safe Veterans Day celebration will take the place of Auburn's annual Veteran's Day Parade.
Wed Nov 11
Gig Harbor Veterans Day Recognition
Past Event
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Gig Harbor will celebrate veterans with a 1940s-style radio program aired from the south parking lot of the Uptown Shopping Center. Drive up in person and have lunch and refreshments delivered to your car, or tune in from home on KGHP.fm's YouTube and Facebook pages.
Wed Nov 11 (Gig Harbor and online)
Issaquah Veterans Day Celebration
Past Event
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Issaquah Highlands veterans and their families—and all other community members—are invited to join an online music-filled ceremony.
Wed Nov 11
Lynnwood Veterans Day Ceremony
Past Event
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The city of Lynnwood promises an online ceremony to replace its annual in-person Veterans Day celebration.
Wed Nov 11
Mill Creek Veterans Day
Past Event
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Keep a tab with the city of Mill Creek's website open for a day of commemorative ceremonies honoring past and current U.S. veterans.
Wed Nov 11
Museum of Flight Veterans Day Celebration
Past Event
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WWII veteran and B-17 pilot Dick Nelms will give a keynote speech at this virtual presentation, courtesy of the Museum of Flight.
Wed Nov 11
NVC & NVC Foundation Veterans Day Event
Past Event
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The Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee will broadcast keynote speeches from the Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major of the 100th Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Honolulu.
Wed Nov 11
Shoreline Veterans Day Celebration
Past Event
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Shoreline will release its prerecorded Veterans Day program on Comcast Channel 21 and the City's YouTube channel.
Wed Nov 11
Washington State History Museum: The Story of Dorie Miller & African Americans in The Navy
Past Event
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In honor of Veterans Day, Dr. Regina T. Akers of the Naval History and Heritage Command and Megan Churchwell of the Puget Sound Navy Museum will lead an online program highlighting the story of Dorie Miller, a Black Storekeeper Third Class with the US Navy who was recently honored as the namesake for an aircraft carrier.
Wed Nov 11
DEALS & FREEBIES
Dick's Drive-In
Past Event
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In addition to free burgers for veterans at each of its locations, the Queen Anne outpost of Dick's will have a limited supply of Veterans Day hoodies available for $35, a portion of the proceeds from which will benefit the veterans program at the Compass Housing Alliance.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Far Away Entertainment Theaters
Past Event
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All active and former U.S. military personnel will receive a complimentary bag of popcorn at all Far Away Entertainment theaters (including Varsity
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and the Historic Admiral
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in West Seattle) on Veterans Day.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Fremont Mischief
Past Event
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Veterans can enjoy the perks of the friends and family discount all month long at the distillery. Their “carry the lantern” special packaging is also available.
Through Nov 30 (Fremont)
Grillbird
Past Event
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The fast-casual teriyaki-focused restaurant is offering 30% off for military members and veterans.
Nov 10-11 (West Seattle)
The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve
Past Event
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Former and current military service people and their families will get free admission to this cultural space that aims to "revive, restore, protect, interpret, collect and enhance the history, traditional cultural values and spiritual beliefs of the Tulalip Tribes."
Wed Nov 11 (Tulalip)
Ivars
Veterans can enjoy a free entree (like paella or fish and chips) for dine-in or takeout at all Ivar's locations.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Lunchbox Laboratory
Past Event
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The Gig Harbor outpost of the burger-and-shake joint will extend free dining to veterans.
Wed Nov 11 (Gig Harbor)
Neighborhood Grills
Past Event
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Former and current U.S. military personnel can eat free on Veterans Day (on meals up to $18) at all Neighborhood Grills locations (in Green Lake
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, Lake Forest Park
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, and Eastlake
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). They also deliver if you prefer to eat at home.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Ozzie's
Past Event
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Retired and current military personnel can choose from 20% off their bill or a free appetizer at the Queen Anne hangout on Veterans Day.
Wed Nov 11 (Queen Anne)
Pioneer Square D&E
Past Event
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Poultry-loving veterans can score free fried chicken for takeout, delivery, or dine-in at the Second Avenue staple, which does the dish right.
Wed Nov 11 (Pioneer Square)
State Parks
Past Event
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If you don't have a Discover Pass but you still want to take in Northwest wildlife in all its evergreen-hued glory, take advantage of free admission to state parks on special days throughout the year.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Tinte Cellars
Past Event
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Tinte Cellars' Hollywood Hill tasting room will offer veterans and active-duty military a two-for-one deal on tastings.
Nov 11-15 (Woodinville)
Urban Family Brewing
Past Event
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Urban Family is back with its annual collaboration with the William C. Stacey American Legion Post 206, which will benefit from the proceeds. The Good Life, Good Fight IPA is "exploding with tropical fruit notes on the nose, with a luscious body and an assertive finish."
Wed Nov 11 (Ballard)
PORTLAND
EVENTS
Annual Veterans Concert
Past Event
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The Willamette Master Chorus will open its 36th concert season with its 16th annual concert for veterans. Expect standards like the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the "Veterans Medley."
Nov 14-15
Douglas County Veterans Day Reverse Parade
Past Event
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Instead of standing by while marching bands and floats move down the street in typical parade fashion, this socially distanced setup will do the opposite, allowing spectators to drive along and admire stationary decorations honoring veterans.
Wed Nov 11 (Roseburg)
Washington County Veterans Day Livestream
Past Event
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Washington County's annual Veterans Day ceremony will move online, bringing an hour-long program of interviews with local veterans, interspersed with info about vital services available to Washington County veterans. Check it out on Facebook and YouTube Live.
Wed Nov 11
DEALS & FREEBIES
Evergreen Aviation Museum
Past Event
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Veterans will receive free admission to the aviation museum for a whole week, where they can see the Hughes Flying Boat H-4 Spruce Goose, Vietnam- and WWII-era aircraft, and other cool planes.
Through Nov 15 (McMinnville)
Pastini
Past Event
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The local pasta chain will offer complimentary entrees to all veterans and current military service people, both for dine-in and takeout.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)
Vagabond Brewing
Past Event
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Vagabond Brewing will celebrate the Marine Corps' 245th birthday by filling pints in limited-edition Marine glasses. (You can buy a three-pint punchcard for $25 to benefit the SOVAH Charity if you wish.) They'll also have a cake cutting and Commandant’s message at 3 pm and 7 pm, as well as a food truck.
Wed Nov 11 (Southeast)
NATIONWIDE
EVENTS
Arlington National Cemetery Observance
Past Event
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The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a full honor wreath ceremony with the Presidential Armed Forces at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at this nationally streamed event.
Wed Nov 11
Vietnam Veterans Livestream
Past Event
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Grand Ole Opry regular Rockie Lynne will give a special musical performance in honor of Vietnam War veterans in particular. The virtual event will also include a Pledge of Allegiance video cut together from submissions.
Wed Nov 11
DEALS & FREEBIES
The Liberator
Premiering on Veterans Day, this Netflix animated miniseries written and created by Jeb Stuart and based on the book by Alex Kershaw follows a group of American soldiers fighting in World War II.
Premiereing Wed Nov 11
National Parks
Past Event
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Grab your mask and get outside to your nearest national park for free on Veterans Day.
Wed Nov 11 (various locations)