Veterans Day events in the Cape Fear and special deals to honor vets

November 6, 2023

Jeff Rivenbark,

LELAND, NC (WWAY) – Veterans Day will be observed on Saturday, Nov. 11, to show our respect and gratitude to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Several events across the Cape Fear are planned leading up to and on Veterans Day.

In addition, lots of businesses will be offering free or discount items to say thanks to our veterans who have served. If you have any events or special offers for veterans you would like for us to include below, please email our newsroom at newsroom@wwaytv3.com.

Events:

West Brunswick High School will host a Veterans Day Remembrance ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the school’s main gym.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Wilmington will dedicate its newly completed Veterans Memorial Garden on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. The location is 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington.
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9. The ceremony will take place in Tabitha’s Courtyard, located behind the G Building on CFCC’s downtown campus (411 N. Front Street, Wilmington). The ceremony will honor the brave men and women who have served our nation.
The John E. Jacobs American Legion Post #68 is hosting a Veteran’s Day Golf Charity Event, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Magnolia Greens Golf Course, 1800 Tommy Jacobs Dr. Leland. The “Tee It Up For Veterans” Charity event begins at 3 p.m. As part of this event there will be a Silent Auction, Raffles, and a Live Band Concert.
The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center will be the place to celebrate Veterans Day 2023 with a Veterans Day Dance on Friday, Nov. 10, from 8 – 10 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Dance the night away to the sounds of The Wilmington Big Band with retro pop and jazz standards from the 60s – 80s! The Wilmington Big Band is a 17-piece orchestra dedicated to the preservation of the American original art of big band music. Reminiscent of Wrightsville Beach’s own Lumina Ballroom where true showmen like Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey entertained audiences, the Wilmington Big Band combines a mixture of timeless standards and hip pop tunes that will keep you swinging all night long. Concessions including wine and beer will be available thanks to support from Windham Distributing Co. and Mad Mole Brewing Company. All proceeds benefit the Historic USO Building Preservation Fund. Tickets are $20.
The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center will host a unique art exhibition and fundraiser featuring contributions from local artists and the artwork of veterans. Paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other artworks will be available for sale and auction. Save A Vet Now’s mission is to combat the epidemic of veteran suicides by raising community awareness, providing veterans with opportunities for social connection, and generating donations to provide services. It’s happening Friday, Nov. 10, (7:30-10 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 11, (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Nancy Witter’s Hot Flash Laughs presents Vets For Vets Comedy Fest on Friday, Nov. 10, 7-9 p.m. It will be held on at veteran owned, Mannkind Brewing Company, 9600 Ploof Road SE Leland, NC. Featuring award winning comedians Nancy Witter and Steve Melia, along with Veteran Comedians, Gerrod Sidbury (Army), John Simpson (Navy) and John Grimes (Army). They will join forces for a night of hilarity and fun-raising for local veterans through The Forty and Eight (fortyandeight.org).
The Southeast North Carolina Veterans Parade and the Sudan Shriners Parade will step off one after the other on Third Street in downtown Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 11. The SENC Veterans Parade is in its sixth year, bringing more than 90 units including marching bands, drill teams, veteran organizations, and public safety organizations together to salute veterans, active-duty military, and reservists. The Veterans Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Hanover Street on Third Street and continues to Market Street, with a pre-parade show of dance and musical performances scheduled at 10 a.m. in front of City Hall.

Free/Special Services:

The National Park Service invites all visitors to remember our veterans by visiting any National Park Service site for free on Veterans Day (November 11). Find tips to recreate responsibly while you visit! In our area, Moores Creek National Battlefield does not charge an entry fee.
To thank our nation’s Veterans for their courage and service in protecting our freedom, Scooter’s Coffee is offering them a free handcrafted drink of any size on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11. To receive the free drink offer, veterans and military members simply need to present their valid military identification at a participating Scooter’s Coffee location.
North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island are excited to welcome and thank military families with complimentary admission on Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The complimentary admission is extended to all veterans, active, reserve or retired of the U.S. military and their dependents.
Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, invites all veterans and active duty military personnel to enjoy a free half turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink at any of Sheetz’s 700+ store locations on Saturday, Nov. 11. The offer includes extras & add-ons to the sub.