01 cover Fort Bragg has sent America’s sons and daughters across the world to fight wars,

keep peace, build nations, undo the damage left by Mother Nature’s wrath and other countless missions. For the past century, the citizens of Cumberland County have stood in the gap for military families as their friends and neighbors answered Uncle Sam’s call. So, it’s no surprise that proper Veterans Day celebrations around here take more than one day. Heroes Homecoming is packed with activities and ceremonies showing respect to the many generations of veterans who have served this country.

Through Dec. 31

“Celebrations While Deployed”

Displayed at Headquarters Library in the Local and State History Room, this display showcases holidays and other family celebrations during deployment. Call 910-483-7727 to learn more.

Nov. 1-30

“Happy Birthday United States Marines”

The North Carolina Veterans Park will host a monthlong exhibit. Call 910-433-1457 for more information.

Friday, Nov. 9

Military and veteran spouse empowerment luncheon

Sponsored by the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic and Military Child Education Coalition with Cumberland County Schools, this event is for spouses of active-duty military member and veterans. It will include motivational speakers and will cover topics like empowerment through volunteering, employment, starting your own business, education and resources within the community. It will take place at Cape Fear Botanical Garden and includes a free lunch and free childcare. The luncheon starts at 11 a.m.

Veterans Day Concert and art exhibit

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum will host a gallery reception for the exhibition “The Arts and the Military.” There will be a musical performance afterwards. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. It is free. Call 910-643-2778 for details.

Saturday, Nov. 10

Veterans Day Parade

The Veterans Day Parade has more than 100 participants, including active-duty military members, numerous veterans’ organizations, military equipment, and ROTC units and marching bands from local high schools and universities. It begins on Hay Street at ASOM and ends on Person Street at Liberty Point. It starts at 10 a.m. and is free to attend. Call 910-920-0454 to learn more.

City of Fayetteville Veterans Day Proclamation

Immediately following the Veterans Day Parade, head to the North Carolina Veterans Park for the Veterans Day Proclamation, a ceremony honoring the veterans of the community, state and nation. It is free and open to the public. Call 910-433-1457 for details.

Heroes Homecoming Community Challenge

From noon to 4 p.m., Fort Bragg Harley Davidson

invites the community to enjoy family-friendly

entertainment, including a hot wing eating contest;

strength competitions, such as tire-flipping and

pull-up and push-up competitions; face painting and

arts and crafts; bouncy houses and a kids’ obstacle

course; K-9 demonstrations and cute civilian dogs to

pet; live music; food trucks; mini-golf; and resources

for suicide prevention in our community. The event is

free. Call 910-615-3714 to learn more.

Second Annual Heroes Homecoming Motorcycle

Rally

Bikers interested in riding as a group, meet at the old Bank of America building across from Festival Park after the Veterans Day Parade. The group will ride together to Fort Bragg Harley Davidson for an afternoon of wholesome entertainment, including live music, vendors and food. Call 910-567-2221 to learn more.

Hometown Hero Awards and Centennial of Service Speaker Series

ASOM will honor retired Gen. James J. Lindsay with the Hometown Hero Award for his efforts to nurture and develop the relationship between the city of Fayetteville and the military. After the ceremony, there will be three speakers – part of a series featuring ordinary

people doing extraordinary things. The speakers are EJ Snyder, Kevin Maurer and Lewis Hunt. The event runs from 1-5 p.m. Call 910-643-2778 to learn more.

Hope Mills Chamber Chili Cook-Off and Veterans Appreciation Day

Hosted at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, the Chili-Cook-Off and Veterans Appreciation Day is designed with families in mind. It will include food, cornhole, entertainment, craft brews and more. Veterans can relax in the Veterans Tent. The cook-off will include the usual hot and mild categories as well as a people’s choice and a veteran’s choice award. It runs 1-9 p.m. Call 910-423-4314 for details.

243rd Marine Corps Birthday Celebration

The Shawn Knisely Detachment, Marine Corps League, Dept. of North Carolina will host a celebration at Stryker Golf Course. The evening includes a reception, opening ceremony, dinner and a cake ceremony. It runs from 6-9 p.m. and costs $40 per person. Call 910-263-1102 for tickets and information.

“A Patriotic Dinner Theatre”

From 6-10 p.m., enjoy a patriotic dinner theater at VFW 670 with Paul Thompson as Master of Ceremonies. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30 per person or $50 per couple. Call 910-424-8675 for tickets and information.

“I Was There: A Staged Reading of Veterans’ Oral Histories”

Headquarters Library will host this event from 6-7:30 p.m. Dr. Cyndi Briggs and Dr. Brook Davis of Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University are interviewing Fayetteville area veterans. Actors will present segments of these interviews in a staged reading. Call 910-483-7727 to learn more.

Sunday, Nov. 11

Armistice Day Bell Ringing

Armistice Day marks the end of World War I. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the Museum of the Cape Fear invites all residents, churches and businesses in Cumberland County to ring a bell 11 times at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month (Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.), in recognition of the anniversary. Call 910-500-4240 to learn more.

Balloon Doves Release

From 6-9 p.m. Hope Mills will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day at Hope Mills Lake. At dusk, 100 biodegradable balloon doves will be released at the lake. Call 910-424-4555 to learn more.

Field of Flags

From 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Veterans Memorial at Hope Mills Municipal Park will sport flags in memoriam of all residents, past and present, who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Call 910-424-4555 for details. Hope Mills VFW Post 10630 Veterans Day Ceremony Honor local veterans at the Veterans Day ceremony at Hope Mills Veterans Memorial. Refreshments will be served in the Parks & Recreation Building afterward. The ceremony starts at 3 p.m. Call 910-424-4555 for information.

Reading of Names

Local JROTC cadets will read from a list of names of all Hope Mills veterans. The reading will start after the ringing of the bells at 11:11 a.m. and will pause during the VFW Ceremony. Call 910-424-4555 for more information.

Spring Lake Memorial VFW Post 4542 Veterans Day Ceremony

Held at the Spring Lake Memorial VFW Post 4542, the Veterans Day Ceremony will be from 2-3 p.m. Search the event on Facebook to learn more.

Home Front

Eastover’s Veterans Day event incorporates the families and friends left behind when the service member deploys. It will include agencies that are available to provide different types of support, and some agency representatives will be serving as guest speakers at this event. The event runs from 3-5 p.m. at the Eastover Civic Club. Search the event on Facebook to learn more.

Veterans Day Run and Veterans Services Fair

There will be a 5K and a 1-mile run/walk, both starting in Festival Park. After the race, enjoy the Veterans Services Fair. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Search the event on Facebook to register.

Veterans Day at the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum

Celebrate Veterans Day at the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum. See artifacts of the soldiers who celebrated the end of World War I a century ago. The museum is located at 5108 Ardennes Rd., Fort Bragg. It will be open from noon-4:30 p.m. Call 910-432-3443 to learn more.

Monday, Nov. 12

Hope Mills Chamber Veterans Appreciation

Luncheon

The Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce wants to thank all veterans by treating them to lunch during the chamber’s monthly meeting. The luncheon is from 12:30-2 p.m. at VFW 10630. Call 910-423-4314 to RSVP.