Editor’s Note: Due to the government shutdown, the previously listed Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra event at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum has been cancelled.
With its proximity to Fort Bragg, the largest military installation in the country by population, the Fayetteville area is widely known as a military community. According to a 2023 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, Cumberland County is also home to an estimated 52,831 veterans, the largest population of veterans in the state.
Residents will find plenty of opportunities in Cumberland County this year to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of veterans and military service members.
From Fayetteville and beyond, here are few events in the area to celebrate Veterans Day on Tuesday.
Fayetteville
Operation Green Light for Veterans
For the fifth year, Fayetteville is participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans by lighting city buildings with green exterior lights.
“By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported,” the program’s website reads.
In Fayetteville, the initiative began on Nov. 4, and will extend through Nov. 11. City officials encourage community members to participate by changing an interior or exterior light to a green bulb for the duration of the event. Community members who participate are encouraged to share their photos on social media by using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony
The Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Freedom Memorial Park, 111 Bragg Blvd. The event is sponsored by the Cross Creek-Briarwood Garden Club, and the group encourages community members to join them in celebrating veterans.
Film Premiere — Air Angels: Flight Helene
On Nov. 11, Cameo Art House Theatre, at 225 Hay St., will host the world premiere of “Air Angels: Flight Helene,” a film that details the actions taken by veteran and civilian groups to assist communities that were impacted by Hurricane Helene in late 2024. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. will be hosted by award-winning journalist Gilbert Baez.
Veterans Day Parade
Fayetteville hosted its annual Veterans Day parade on Nov. 1. In a social media post, the City of Fayetteville wrote that the event was held to honor “the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of all who have served in the military.” Check out CityView‘s photos from the event.
Spring Lake
Spring Lake hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 7 at Veterans Park. The event included a keynote speech from guest speaker retired Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran.
Each year, the town selects a veteran from its community to serve as “Veteran of the Year,” and the town hangs a banner honoring the individual along Main Street. This year’s honoree is Dr. David Dickerhoff, a dentist in Spring Lake who served 14 years in the U.S Military.
Hope Mills
Hope Mills will host its Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony from 3-5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Hope Mills Municipal Park, 5766 Rockfish Rd. The ceremony will be immediately followed by a reception inside Hope Mills Recreation Center.
Things to note
In observance of Veterans Day, many city offices and service providers will be closed on Tuesday. All services will reopen Nov. 12. Services that will be closed include:
- Main police station front lobby and records unit at 467 Hay St.
- Fayetteville Regional Airport administrative offices
- Fayetteville Area System of Transit administrative offices
- Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation administrative offices
- Recreation centers will operate on an abbreviated schedule from 10 a.m.- 4p.m.
- Cumberland County Public Libraries
- Cumberland County Animal Services
- Solid waste, waste removal services, landfills, and container sites