Soldiers Memorial Military Museum

Soldiers Memorial will host Veterans Day events on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 and also on Friday, Nov. 11.

St. Louis Regional Veterans Day Observance

The year 2011 marks seventy years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) and the subsequent "a date that will live in infamy" address by then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on December 8, 1941. Congress declared war on the Japanese Empire within hours and our "greatest generation" began several long years of service and sacrifice.  

Two of the three Grand Marshals honored this year at the St. Louis Regional Veterans Day Observance are WWII veterans.

Marshall Robyn, Maplewood, 517 Airborne Regiment Combat Team, awarded 3 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, served in Europe.

Earl Szwabo, St. Louis City and Florissant, spent 42 months as a Japanese prisoner-of-war, first in Bilibid Prison, Manila and then in a labor camp in Nagoya, Japan.

Our third Grand Marshal, Lieutenant General Robert Allardice, Commander, 18^th Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, reminds us that Americans continue to serve today: Lt. General Allardice has deployed three times in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom—including command positions at the squadron, group, and wing levels. As a command pilot, he has logged more than 4,700 hours in jet aircraft.

You will have the opportunity to meet these men and thank them for their service on Saturday, November 5, 2011. The Ceremony to honor all the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces starts at 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut (street-side steps).

At approximately 11:55 a.m. a fly-over of vintage aircraft will follow the Ceremony.

St. Louis City Fire Department will fly the Garrison Flag at 14^th and Market.

The Massing of the Colors unit will lead off the Parade at 12 p.m.

The Museum at Soldiers' Memorial will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed during Ceremony, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

Dress for the weather, bring your family and bring your camera!  Take the Metro to the Civic Center stop. If you drive Downtown, much of the curbside parking is free on the weekends.   

  

American Legion 11/12th District Veterans Day Ceremony and Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication

Bring your family to the American Legion 11/12th District Veterans Day Ceremony and Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication at 10:55 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at Soldiers' Memorial, and then visit the Military Museum, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Need more information?  Call (314) 622-4550.

Soldiers' Memorial & Military Museum

City of St. Louis

www.stlsoldiersmemorial.org