The Philadelphia region honors veterans with parades, celebratory events and concessions

While there can never be enough gratitude for those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, many events will be held this Veterans Day to recognize the brave men and women who have sacrificed to protect our country.

Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, is a holiday honoring those who have served in the armed forces. Here is a list of events honoring veterans and their patriotism, as well as some free gifts and discounts for them this holiday.

Veterans Day discounts and freebies

Several restaurant chains, food establishments, furniture retailers, clothing stores, auto repair shops, and entertainment and recreation destinations are offering a variety of free gifts and offers in honor of Veterans Day. The full list can be found on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

In Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution will honor veterans on Monday by offering free admission to those currently serving in the military, veterans and Blue Star families on Sunday and Monday.

Additionally, all active or retired military members can take advantage of a free ride on NJ Transit train, bus or light rail services on Monday. Veterans and active-duty service members, in or out of uniform, are only required to present one of the following valid forms of identification: a military ID card, a Veterans Administration ID card, a veterans organization membership card, or may simply wear a U.S. military uniform.

The Elmwood Park Zoo also offers free admission to veterans with a valid veteran ID card and photo ID on the Sunday before the holiday. The Museum of Illusions in Philadelphia also thanks veterans with free admission on Sunday and Monday. Veterans must provide valid identification for entry.

Veterans Day Events in Pennsylvania

10th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival

The Philadelphia Veterans Parade begins at 12 p.m. on Sunday, November 10th at 21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway and ends directly behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval. The festival features several food trucks and runs until 4 p.m

Independence Seaport Museum’s annual Veterans Day ceremony

This free Veterans Day ceremony will be celebrated aboard the Olympia on Monday morning starting at 10 a.m. The event will last approximately one hour and will feature keynote speaker Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom, deputy commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay.

The Olympia is located across from Spruce Street Harbor Park next to Moshulu.

Media Veterans Day Parade

Delaware County will honor its veterans with a parade starting at 11:11 a.m. Monday. The parade begins on State Street in front of the Media Theater and ends with a closing ceremony in front of the County Courthouse.

The Media Veterans Day parade will also feature the 2024 Grand Marshall of the Year, Master Sgt. Tanya Harris, who also previously worked as a recruiting office manager for the Delaware Air National Guard.

Veterans Day events in New Jersey

2024 Veterans Day Ceremony in Sea Isle City

The community will honor veterans at Sea Isle City’s 2024 Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by Mayor Leonard Desiderio, at 11 a.m. Monday at Veterans Park at JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue.

There is a rain site at the Community Lodge at 300 JFK Boulevard.

Officials said the ceremony would feature “patriotic anthems.” [including Bag Pipe music]laying wreaths around the park fountain and saying words of praise for our country’s veterans.”

Two veterans will also be presented with “Quilts of Valor,” a handmade quilt that officials say was made by volunteers from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Veterans Day ceremony on the Battleship New Jersey

The historic battleship New Jersey welcomes its veterans with a free ceremony on its forward deck Monday morning. Guests can board at 10:45 a.m. and the ceremony begins with the ringing of the Peace Bells – when the ship’s bell is rung eleven times at 11:00 a.m. The battleship will then unveil new banners along the boardwalk featuring local veterans and military supporters. The event will be delivered by John P. Keegan, President and Chairman of the Charles Edison Fund, and moderated by Captain Walt Urban USN. The Battleship is located at 100 Clinton Street, Camden, New Jersey.

Westmont Fire Company No. 1 hosts the Veterans Day Service

Westmont Fire Company No. 1 will host a service and reception to honor those who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving our country. The service begins at 11 a.m. at the fire station, 120 Haddon Ave, Haddon Township, New Jersey.

Veterans Day Events in Delaware

Duty, Honor and Country: A Tribute to Veterans Day

The Rehoboth Concert Band would like to honor veterans with an uplifting, heartfelt and free concert at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Sunday at 3 p.m

Officials said admission is free but donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will benefit Folds of Honor, described as a “charity that provides life-changing scholarships for the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled service members and first responders.”

Veterans Day Service of the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs

This annual service is held at the Veterans Memorial Park on Cherry Lane in New Castle, Delaware. The event is hosted by the Delaware River and Bay Authority and sponsored by the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs.

The Veterans Day service begins at 10:30 a.m. and continues until 12 p.m.