Thursday, November 8, 2012

Widgets

5 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day ~ Austin, TX

Veterans Day is this Sunday, November 11.  It's a day to honor all US men & women who served their country and a great opportunity to teach your children about the importance of remembering them.  There are many events going on throughout the Central Texas area, but here are just 5 events or things you can do to make this weekend special:

Go to a Parade!  The annual Veterans Day Parade held on Sunday, Nov 11, 2012 in downtown Austin. Beginning at 9 am, the parade will march down Congress Ave starting at the Ann Richards Congress Ave. Bridge and go up to the Texas Capitol.  This years parade is honoring the Vietnam Veterans.  An 11 am service follows the parade on the steps of the Capitol building.

See a Re-enactment! On both Saturday & Sunday, Nov 10 & 11, 2012: The Texas Military Forces Museum offers a living history & battle reenactment that is FREE to the community.  Close Assault 1944 demonstrates the weapons and equipment of US and German forces during WWII.  Tour the Texas Military Forces Museum while you are there as well.

Another amazing museum that will be performing re-enactments is at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX. The Pacific Combat Living History Re-Enactment will occur on  both Saturday & Sunday, Nov 10 & 11, 2012.  The museum also has a scheduled Veterans Day Observance.

Watch a show! On Sunday, Nov 11, 2012, The Bullock Texas State History Museum pays tribute to Veterans with 2 special films shown in the Spirit Theater.  Last Best Hope: A True Story of Escape, Evasion, and Remembrance shows at 12:30 pm. In the Shadow of the Blade shows at 4:30 pm.

Hear a concert!  The Concert Club at the Long Center is providing a FREE city terrace concert for the community on Sunday, Nov 11, 2012.  The U.S. Army 36th Infantry Division Band will perform in honor of Veterans Day at 4:30 pm.

Observe memorials! When I was looking for memorials & monuments dedicated to Veterans in the Austin area, I came upon this helpful site.  There are tons of memorials to visit here, representing many different people during many different times of battle.  If you don't have time to seek them out, I recommend a walk around the Texas Capitol Grounds.There are 17 different monuments laid out on the 22 acres, many of which are dedicated to our Texas Veterans, from those that fought in the Alamo to WW I to the Korean War.

Lastly, Free Fun in Austin has a comprehensive list of all the Veterans Day event going on - including free food!


1 comment:

Michele | Malaysian Meanders said...

Our school in Malaysia is doing a Remembrance Day ceremony after school on November 9. This island was really hit hard in World War II and occupied by Japanese forces for years. There's even a bunker just up the hill from where I live. The school campus used to be the British R&R station for the area post-war. What used to be horse stables are now dorms.