Veterans Day was established and signed into law on May 26, 1954 to to honor all of those who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The remaining hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day but renamed the holiday Veterans Day in 1954.

On Friday, there will be several programs in Tuscaloosa recognizing Veterans Day and paying tribute to those men and women who have fought and are still frighting to keep our country free.

PARA Veterans Day Program

  • The guest speaker for the program will be Director of the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center, John F. Merkle. The Veterans Medical Center provides primary care, long-term care and mental health care to eligible Veterans in the Southeast Network. Mr. Merkle is a retired Lieutenant Colonel who served on active duty with the U.S. Army for more than 24 years. While in the military he was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit, an honorary military organization that recognizes leadership and significant contributions to the Army Medical Department The event is free and open to the public. The events will be held at Veterans Memorial Park located at 1701 University Blvd. East. Should it rain, the program will take place at Magnolia Shelter in Snow Hinton Park, one block south of Veterans Memorial Park.

VFW Post 6022 & Auxiliary Veteran's Day Cook-out & Membership Drive

  • VFW Post 6022 & Auxiliary's events will start at noon Friday and will end when the food is gone. They will have tables set up for members & prospective members information as well as a special table set up for Vietnam veterans. The day's menu will consist of burgers, dogs & maybe some BBQ ribs & chicken.

Veterans Day Celebration at CHOM!

  • Who says Veterans Day is just for grown-ups? The Children's Hands On Museum is inviting kids of all ages to help make Flag Cards for veterans.The museum is located at 2213 University Blvd.

Also, on Thursday, VFW Post 6022 is having their Buddy Poppy distribution event. Supporters can stop by Winn-Dixie at Five Points in Tuscaloosa and on McFarland Boulevard and Watermelon Road. The post will also have a table set up behind the food court in University Mall on Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. The Buddy Poppies are small flowers handmade by disabled veterans and are free but donations are always accepted.

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