National Veterans Day Observance

11/10/2022

WASHINGTON—The 69th annual National Veterans Day Observance, honoring the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. armed forces during war and peacetime, will take place on Friday, November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Beginning at 11 a.m., the observance will also be live-streamed at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/30359.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by an observance program in ANC’s Memorial Amphitheater. A prelude by The United States Navy Band and Sea Chanters will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

Vice President Kamala D. Harris will lay the wreath at the ceremony, hosted by Maj. Gen. Allan M. Pepin, commanding general, Joint Task Force–National Capitol Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Musical support for the wreath-laying ceremony will be provided by The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” Attendance at the wreath-laying ceremony will be limited to official participants only.

The observance program, hosted by the Honorable Denis R. McDonough, the 11th Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will be held in the Memorial Amphitheater following the wreath-laying ceremony. Seating for this portion of the observance program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Getting Here and Other Logistics

•  Free parking is available at the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•  A free shuttle service will provide transportation to the Memorial Amphitheater, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance, shuttles will provide transportation back to the Welcome Center until 2 p.m.

•  Family pass holders will be able to enter the cemetery via Memorial Avenue or through the Service Gate. Pedestrians may access the cemetery through the Welcome Center, the Ord and Weitzel Gate, and the Service Gate off of Columbia Pike (near the Pentagon). 

•  Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the cemetery and ceremony. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, screwdrivers (or similar  tools), air horns, personal protection sprays and insulated beverage containers. Clear plastic water bottles are permitted. Please note that umbrellas will now be permitted in the Memorial Amphitheater due to predicted heavy rain.

•  At various times during the National Veterans Day Observance, there will be delays entering and exiting the cemetery, as well as movement freezes inside the cemetery. 

The public is encouraged to view the ceremonies live: 
www.dvidshub.net/webcast/30359

For more information about the wreath-laying or observance program, email the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@army.mil.