South Sound Veteran’s Day Events: Ceremonies and Family Friendly Outings

• Tweet
• Sumo

• Tweet

UPDATED FOR 2017

A special Sounds Fun Mom, “Thank You,” to all who serve and have served. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this Veterans Day, or for a ceremony to attend as a family, here’s a list:

Please note that I haven’t been to most of these, or even verified them, so I can’t speak to how kid friendly they are. You may want to call first-or do chime in, if you’ve attended one with your kiddos. You’re also most welcome to share any others you know about! I have ceremonies first, followed by outings/activities/freebies for Veterans.

Ceremonies

Suggestion-If you have young kiddos, consider attending a ceremony at your local elementary, junior high, or high school. I promise they are all having one, and I am sure you would be most welcome. Do call first to find out the schedule and the visitor policy.

Museum of Flight – The Museum of Flight honors America’s Veterans

with music, ceremonies and a new exhibit featuring the Congressional Medal of Honor. The events begin at 11 a.m. with an hour of patriotic music performed by the Boeing Employee’s Concert Band, followed at noon with a ceremony featuring City of Tukwila Mayor Allan Ekberg and Tukwila City Councilmember Joe Duffie (who served with the National Guard for 31 years). The events culminate with a special commemoration of a new exhibit of the Congressional Gold Medal. I believe this is free to veterans and members of the military on active duty. It is free to others with paid admission.

Annual Veterans Day Parade in Auburn

Saturday, November 11th. Biggest west of the Mississippi! Link will take you to our post with all the details you need.

Tahoma National Cemetery

Kent; Veteran’s Day I don’t see details posted yet, but they do a ceremony every year.

Washington Soldier’s Home

Orting; I don’t see details posted yet, but they do a ceremony every year.

 War Memorial Park

Tacoma, 6th Avenue and MacArthur;  11AM

Please join us on Veterans Day to honor those who served. We will gather on Saturday, November 11 at War Memorial Park. The ceremony starts at 11 am.

The keynote speaker will be Mike Ake, Assistant Chief of Operations for the Tacoma Police Department. Readers have found this one to be reasonably kid friendly in the past.

Gig Harbor-Ceremony at the Civic Center

Troop 282 Veteran’s Day Ceremony 11AM

State Capitol Observances

Olympia. There will be several different ceremonies and observances throughout Veteran’s Day.

Note that the Puyallup event was held last weekend.

Freebies

*Note that freebies for military members and veterans may require specific id. Be sure to check before you go and bring it along! 

Everyone can enjoy free admission to National Parks and Washington State Parks 

on November 11th. Note: Fees are still required at Washington state DNR lands and Fish and Wildlife sites. National Parks are also free on the 12th.

Veterans’ Appreciation Days at Northwest Trek

and Point Defiance Zoo

TACOMA, Wash. – U.S. military veterans are invited to enjoy the splendor of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and the wonder of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium at no charge on Nov. 10, 11 and 12.

Veterans’ immediate family members will receive half-off general admission at each zoo.

The Veterans’ Appreciation Days offer is open to all men and women who are serving or have served honorably in the United States armed services.

The Veterans Day observed holiday this year is Nov. 10. But the zoo and Northwest Trek are honoring veterans with this special discount all weekend.

Proof of military service is required for free admission. Acceptable documents include military or veteran identification card, discharge papers or any other proof of military service.

Northwest Trek will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. all three days.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on those days.

Washington State History Museum

One-hundred years ago in 1917, the US entered The Great War to fight alongside our European allies. But Washington’s homefront experience began long before the country entered the war, and continued afterward.

Renowned Northwest historian, Lorraine McConaghy, provides an immersive look into this dramatic period of immigration, wartime industrialization, women’s rights, social change, radical labor, epidemic disease, and worldwide turmoil.

Also on display will be a one-day-only pop up exhibition of WSHS’s new traveling exhibit, Washington’s Great War.

Included with museum admission. Veterans Day admission is free for active and retired military and their families. 2-3PM

LeMay Auto Museum

ACM recognizes the contributions of America’s veterans and current service members. Active duty, retirees and veterans will receive complimentary Museum admission on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11. Can’t visit the Museum on November 11? Military receive discounted admission and 10% off ACM membership daily.

*Military ID or proof of service is required to receive complimentary admission. Does not include dependents. 

Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass

As a heartfelt thank you to our service members TAM is proud to announce that it will expand its offering starting this Veterans Day, November 11. TAM, with the support of over 70 generous members and donors, will now offer year-round free admission to active duty military, reservists, veterans, and their families. We warmly welcome the thousands of service members in our community, and from afar, to TAM.

This Veterans Day, visit TAM to honor our service members and enjoy a day at the museum. Highlights include card making in TAM Studio for visitors to send to deployed military, temporary patriotic tattoos for the kids, and special displays.

Also visit Museum of Glass to see Hot Shop Heroes participants in action, blowing glass poppies for a commissioned Veterans of Foreign War piece. Admission at MOG will be free to veterans and their families on Veterans Day. In addition, veterans will receive a 50% discount on the fusing glass studio workshop.

The Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia

This excellent  and uber kid friendly museum offers half off for military families Saturday the 11th.

There are also  quite a few restaurant freebies for Veterans, including this offer from Lunchbox Laboratory. Our friends at ThriftyNorthwestMom do a huge list of them. You can check that out here. 

Other Stuff

Many schools are out on Friday in observance of the holiday and most libraries and government offices are closed.

Tiffany’s Skate Inn has a special skate session.

Pump it Up in Tacoma is doing some fun things, too.

We will also have our usual list of South Sound weekend fun, including ideas for Friday, up on the site Friday mid morning.

Need it sooner?

We send it straight to your in box on Thursdays when you subscribe to the weekly email!