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Cape Cod towns celebrate Veterans Day: prayers, parades, music, speeches.

by November 8, 2024

The Cape and Islands Region will mark Veterans Day in several cities this weekend with parades, prayers and the opportunity to hear about the experiences of men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

Here are some of the Cape’s Veterans Day events in each city:

Veterans Day in Barnstable

The Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center will host its 7th Annual Veterans Town Hall on the Hyannis Village Green on November 11th at 9:30 a.m. Following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, Veterans Service Officer Guy Gottschalk will read the Governor’s Veterans Day Proclamation. Guest speaker Colonel Walter Watson, United States Marine Corps. (ret.) will address the visitors. The service ends with the laying of a wreath by the Boy Scouts of America.

After the service ends at 10:15 a.m., the Veterans Town Hall Celebration at Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main St., Hyannis, will move to the second floor hearing room to hear seven “10-minute testimonials from combat veterans.” Hyannis Elks Lodge #1549 offers a free brunch buffet with Starbucks coffee.

Hosted by the City of Barnstable and the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center, the event is “an opportunity to listen respectfully and sincerely show your interest.” This is a celebratory and non-political event. There is no question and answer period; no debate about the merits or justifications of war; No accusations or accusations,” the organizers said in a statement.

The idea for the event came from Sebastian Junger, a journalist, author and veterans activist, and was supported by Congressman Seth Moulton, a former Marine and Iraq veteran, according to the release.

To register for the event, email Barbara-Anne Foley ([email protected]). Learn more about the nonprofit outreach center at capeveterans.com.

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“Two Wars, 20 Years: What I Want You to Know,” a documentary film featuring 13 veterans who share their stories about their time in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be screened Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, 3330 Main, Shown St., Barnstable.

“Thirteen veterans went to Iraq and Afghanistan to defend America. They brought home lifelong physical and mental injuries…and questions,” reads a poster accompanying the free screening.

There will be a panel discussion with Tommy Furlong, executive producer and Afghanistan veteran; Catie Foertsch, film director; and Duke Ellis, coordinator of Cape Cod Veterans For Peace.

Military members have free admission to the JFK Hyannis Museum

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum at 397 Main St. offers free admission all day to retired and active military and their families. The museum’s opening hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m

Veterans Day in Bourne

Led by David Michalak and Chris Chiocca, Operation Flags for Veterans will meet with volunteers for the 12th annual Flags for Veterans event at Massachusetts National Cemetery on Saturday, November 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.

“All 79,000 graves in the cemetery will receive an American flag,” said Chris Hickey, director of the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

On Sunday, November 10, at 1 p.m., a dozen local military groups will begin a 45-minute ceremony with a parade from the cemetery entrance along Flag Avenue. Guests would gather at the podium near the main flagpole, Hickey said.

A week later, on Saturday, November 16, volunteers will meet at the Massachusetts National Cemetery on Connery Avenue and work from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to remove and pack the flags, which will be erected again for Memorial Day 2025. The rain date for removal of the flags is November 17th.

According to the Flags for Veterans Facebook page, members of the public are welcome to help install and remove the flag and attend services.

Veterans Day in Brewster

Brewster will honor veterans at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Brewster Council on Aging, 1673 Main St. The ceremony will feature local leaders, guest speakers and a moment of silence to honor fallen heroes. All community members are welcome.

Veterans Day in Chatham

A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Chatham Community Center, 702 Main St. Retired military member Robert Franz will speak. If the weather is bad, the outdoor event will be moved to the gym.

Veterans Day in Dennis

Guests are invited to celebrate Veterans Day with a stroll through Johnny Kelley Park, 180 Old Bass River Road in South Dennis, where hundreds of U.S. flags are displayed throughout the scenic park honoring veterans, first responders and hometown heroes, who live a life of service.

“The Stars & Stripes remind us of who we are as a people. Americans face the challenges of history and overcome hardships by becoming stronger. That’s exactly what we are. The flag of the United States represents our solidarity in creating a better future and uniting us all,” said a written statement about the exhibition, which was available November 9-13.

Visiting the Field of Honor exhibition, which has been on display for 12 years, is free. Cape Town residents have the opportunity to dedicate a flag in honor of a chosen hero while supporting programs that benefit veterans.

Veterans Day in Eastham

Eastham’s annual Veterans Day program will be held at Eastham Methodist Church on Route 6 on Monday, November 11th at 4 p.m. There will be music, words of thanks and exchange. “Please come and join us in remembering our veterans and their families and saying ‘thank you,'” organizer Andrea Bohannon said in a written statement.

Veterans Day in Falmouth

The Rev. Nell Fields, pastor of Waquoit Congregational Church, will be the keynote speaker at Falmouth’s Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in front of the Falmouth Public Library, 300 Main St.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Falmouth Police Department, Falmouth Fire Department, Elks’ Lodge 2380 and Scouts will provide an honor guard. Music will be provided by the Brian Boru Pipe Band and the Falmouth High School Repertory Singers. The Elks Lodge at 140 Palmer Ave. offers light refreshments.

Veterans Day in Orleans

The Nauset Regional Band and Choir will provide music for Veterans Day in Orleans on November 11th at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at 55 Academy Place in Orleans. Members of the American Legion Post 308 and the Orleans Police and Fire Department Honor Guard also take part in the program.

Veterans Day in Provincetown

Provincetown’s Veterans Day program will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 11, at the Veterans Memorial Wall next to City Hall.

“On the 11thTh Hour of the 11thTh Day of the 11thTh In the month of 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. Celebrated as Armistice Day from the following year, November 11thTh became a statutory federal holiday in the United States in 1938,” organizers wrote, recalling the holiday’s history.

After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. This year marks the 106thTh Anniversary of the signing of the armistice.

A memorial wreath will be laid in honor of all military personnel.

An hour earlier, at 10 a.m., Thomas Osowski of the American Legion and Craig Butilier of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will place a wreath at MacMillan Pier to honor those who served in the naval service. At the pier, honor guards from the U.S. Coast Guard Provincetown and Provincetown Police will fire a ceremonial volley. Denise Parks will sing the national anthem; Michael Coelho will play stepper.

Prayers and remarks will be offered at the 11 a.m. event by the Rev. Peter R. Scheffer, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans. Denise Parks will sing the national anthem and “Amazing Grace.”

Veterans Day in Truro

The Truro Council on Aging honored veterans and their families with a luncheon on November 7th.

Veterans Day in Yarmouth

A ceremony honoring the veterans will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Packet Landing Veterans Memorial Park in South Yarmouth. “Let us come together as a community to show our respect and appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice,” the city’s announcement said.

Also in Yarmouth, on Saturday, November 16, Blue Rock Golf Course in South Yarmouth is teaming up with the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center for the 19th annual Turkey Shoot-Out and Food Pantry Drive.

This year, proceeds from the annual fundraiser will go to the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center Food Pantry and their efforts to provide much-needed food to veterans and their families throughout Cape Cod.

The Blue Rock Golf Course Turkey Shoot attracts up to 150 golfers, with a portion of their entry fees donated to the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center. Many of the event’s golfers will win turkeys through proximity-to-the-pin contests. Several winners often donate their turkey to the cause.

Registration costs $95 per player ($65 for members). Shopping carts are available for an additional fee. For more information, visit Blue Rock Golf Course at 48 Todd Road in South Yarmouth or call 508-398-9295.

Non-golfers who would like to help are invited to drop off canned goods, non-perishable foods and grocery store gift cards at the Pro Shop at 48 Todd Road in South Yarmouth from now through Nov. 16.

“It is an honor for all of us at Blue Rock Golf Course to help a local organization that has a direct and daily impact on the men and women who have selflessly served our country in the armed forces,” noted PGA Head Professional Sue Calabro a written notice of the event.

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