On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, we honor the service and sacrifice of all of those who have served the country in war or peace and to thank them. This year, Nov. 11 falls on a Tuesday, and many government offices will be closed. The following Veterans Day commemorations are happening in Oakland County:
Birmingham
• The City of Birmingham’s annual public Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, co-hosted by the Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Shain Park, 270 W. Merrill, Birmingham. They will be honoring veterans and placing wreaths at the site of the Civil War and WW II monuments. The guest speaker is Joel Collin, Outreach Assistant, Fisher House Michigan. A reception for veterans follows the ceremony in the Baldwin Public Library, 300 W Merrill, www.facebook.com/PietyHillChapter.
Bloomfield Twp.
• Bloomfield Hills High School Theatre Company is honoring local military heroes with a special veterans tribute performance of its fall musical, “The Hello Girls” at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the school, 4200 Andover Road, Bloomfield Township. To book seats for the tribute performance, contact Wendy Shanker at wendy.shanker@gmail.com or 917-603-9222. Performances open to the public are 7 p.m. Nov. 13-14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15, bhhs.ludus.com.
Clarkston/Independence Twp.
• Independence Township Senior Center to host Veterans Day luncheon for local veterans and their spouses, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at 8047 Ortonville Road, Clarkston. Free for veterans and spouses. Additional meals $7. Pre-registration required by Oct. 31, at 248-625-8231, www.indtwp.com/residents/senior_center.
Clawson
• The Clawson Senior Center to host a Veterans Days concert and lunch at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Clawson Senior Center senior dining room, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. The Clawson Public Schools Band will perform. All ages welcome. Lunch is free to veterans $4 for others, advanced registration required at 248-589-0334, https://cityofclawson.com/your_government/parks_and_recreation/senior_adult_programs.php
Farmington/Farmington Hills
• The City of Farmington Hills Special Services Adults 50 & Better Division will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration luncheon to honor local veterans at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at the Costick Activities Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills. All local veterans and their guests are welcome. Admission is free for veterans who live in the cities of Farmington Hills and Farmington. Tickets for non-veterans are $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Advance register at recreg.fhgov.com or call 248-473-1830 through Nov. 3, no walk-ins accepted.
Ferndale
• The Ferndale Memorial Association hosts its annual Veteran’s Day Observance at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at the Memorial Mall, on Livernois, just south of W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, www.ferndalememorial.org.
Holly
• Valued Veterans Celebration Pancake Breakfast is 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at Holly Moose Lodge, 210 S Broad St., Holly, 248-634-5804. Free for veterans, $10 for non-veterans, $5 for children under 12. Open to the public.
• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Veterans Day Service at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Lakeside Park Cemetery, 860 Thomas St. For more information, call Joe Mishler at 810-348-9960.
• Holly High School to host a free Veterans Day Salute at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11, at 6161 East Holly Road, Holly. Open to the public and all veterans are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 810-348-9960.
Oakland County
• Oakland County is participating in the annual Operation Greenlight by displaying green lights on the Oakland County Circuit Court Building, Nov. 4-11. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting buildings green for Veterans Day. By shining a green light, county governments and residents will let veterans know that they are appreciated and supported, www.naco.org, www.facebook.com/OakGov.EM.
Oakland Twp.
• The Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township to host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the tribute at 5236 Adams Road, Oakland Township. This year’s ceremony will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Marine Corps, and the dedication of several new Freedom Benches, and a historical marker. Outdoor seating, covered in the case of poor weather, plus coffee and donuts will be provided. The event is open to the public. For information, visit vtotmi.org, or www.facebook.com/VTOTMI, or call 248-608-2804.
Orion Township
• Orion Township to host a free veterans luncheon at noon, Nov. 11, at Great Lakes Athletic Club, 3800 S. Baldwin Road, Orion Twp. Each veteran may bring one guest, advance register at 248-391-0304, ext. 3500, www.orionparks.com.
Ortonville
• Annual Ruck for Vets Sack Walk to raise funds for VFW Post 582, to help veterans and families in need is 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Bearss Fitness, 4 N. Ortonville Road.https://www.facebook.com/Bearssfitness.
Rochester
• Oakland University’s Veterans Appreciation Week is Nov.10 to Nov. 14. Join fellow veterans, community members, campus students and staff for events to commemorate those who served. All events are free and are at various campus locations. Mess Hall Monday – Free Breakfast is Nov. 10; Push, Pull, Plank Event is Nov. 11; OU Day Of Service – Create a Wreath or Card is Nov. 12; Ruck March – Food Donation Event is Nov. 13 and Veterans Recognition and Scholarship Luncheon is Nov. 14. For more information, call 248-370-2100 or email Lisa Rhoades at rhoades@oakland.edu, or visit https://oakland.edu/veterans.
• The Rochester American Legion Post 172 Auxiliary will host a free Veterans Day Breakfast from 7-9 a.m. Nov. 11, at The Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow St., Rochester. For carry out option, call 248-931-6491. Veterans and the public are invited. For more information, call Terri Williams at 248-651-8137, www.facebook.com/RochesterCommunityHouse.
Rochester Hills
• Veterans Day Ceremony is 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Pointe, 1015 S Livernois Road, Rochester Hills. For more information, visit Rochesterhills.org.
Royal Oak
• The Annual Ruck 22 March for Veterans is 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Centennial Commons, 203 S Troy St., Royal Oak. Participants are invited to walk or march 2.2 miles while carrying 22 pounds—or 22 food or personal items—to raise awareness for veterans in crisis. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Royal Oak Veterans Events Committee encourages participation and the donation of non-perishable food/personal items for veterans in need. For a full list of items needed, visit www.romi.gov/492/Veterans-Events-Committee. All food will go to the Vietnam Veterans of America 154 food pantry. Monetary donations will go to the John Dingell VA in support of mental health. To sponsor the Ruck 22 event, call Dave Wandoff at 248-505-8115.
• The Royal Oak Veterans Day Service is at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at or near the Royal Oak War Memorial in Barbara A. Hallman Memorial Plaza in Centennial Commons (Troy and Second Streets). For more information, visit romi.gov/492/Veterans-Events-Committee.
Southfield
• Veterans Day Ceremony is 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road Southfield, keynote speaker is Todd Butler, deputy director Michigan Veterans Affairs agency, www.cityofsouthfield.com.
Troy
• The Annual Veterans Day Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, in the Troy Veterans Plaza in front of City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy. This event features a veteran speakers a wreath laying, raising of colors and music. The ceremony honors all U.S. military veterans for their service. For information, 248-524-1147 or visit www.troymi.gov.
• White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy will display more than 400 U.S. flags in recognition of our veterans of all U.S. wars, on the grounds of the cemetery, 621 W. Long Lake Road, Troy, weather permitting, www.whitechapelcemetery.com.
Detroit
• 20th Annual Detroit Veterans Day Parade + 10th annual 4Star 4Mile Race is Nov. 9. For more information, visit www.detroitveteransdayparade.com.
Lansing
• The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is hosting the sixth annual Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Heritage Hall, inside the Capitol, 323 W. Ottawa St., Lansing. This event is free and open to the public. To reserve your seat, email GoldenK1@Michigan.gov.
Veterans Day promotions
• Sport Clips Haircuts launched its 2025 “Help A Hero” scholarship campaign in partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. The campaign runs through Nov. 15 and aims to raise $1.35 million Anyone can support the scholarship program by donating during a Sport Clips visit. On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, participating Sport Clips locations will offer free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members, www.sportclips.com/partnerships/help-a-hero.
• Participating White Castle restaurants are offering a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. No purchase is necessary, but they will be asked to show a military ID, www.whitecastle.com.
• Emagine is honoring veterans and active military members by inviting them and a guest to see a movie of their choice for free on Tuesday, Nov. 11. All active military and veterans can receive a ticket for them and a guest, for any film of their choosing (excluding special events). Guests must visit the box office and provide either their military Service ID Card or Discharge Papers, www.emagine-entertainment.com.
• For more restaurant and retailer discounts for veterans and active military on Veterans Day, visit www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html.
To submit an event, visit https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.