Veterans Day events roundup

Cumberland County is gearing up for Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, with ceremonies, job fairs and more, before and after the day that honors those who served in the U.S. military. 

The county is home to Fort Liberty, the largest military installation by population. Cumberland also has over 52,000 veterans, ranking third in county veteran population after Wake and Mecklenburg counties, according to a Cumberland County press release.

With such a significant holiday less than a week away, the community has many local options to commemorate veterans and their families. To add an event to this list, email talk@cityviewnc.com.

County-wide:

Cumberland County is getting ahead of the memorial holiday by illuminating all county buildings in green from Nov. 4-11 in participation with the 2024 Operation Green Light for Veterans, according to a November press release.

“As Fort Liberty’s home, Cumberland County wants veterans to know that we acknowledge, honor, see and support them,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Glenn Adams in the press release. “Operation Green Light helps our community remember to honor and thank those who chose to serve our nation.”

In an effort to support veterans in counties across the U.S., this initiative hopes to spread the word about resources for veterans and their families and to inform communities of their specific set of needs and challenges. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers are leading the 2024 Operation Green Light, which is in its third annual iteration.

Fayetteville

As part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s “Employ A Veteran Week” from Nov. 11-15 in honor of Veterans Day, the county will be holding two Veterans Hiring Events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Thursday, Nov. 7, at the county’s NCWorks Career Center at 490 N. McPherson Church Road.

BHAWK Whiskey Distillery owners, U.S. Army veterans Brad and Jess Halling, are holding a whiskey-tasting event from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Guests will enjoy appetizers paired with a presentation on the Hallings’ experiences in the military and in entrepreneurship.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Military & Veterans Programs is hosting two Veterans Day events. 

1. Starting at noon in Room 222 of the General Classroom Building, FTCC and NCWorks will be holding its weekly “Warrior Wednesday” lunch-and-learn event on Nov. 6, where people affiliated with the military can attend to learn about job searches, training and more. 
2. FTCC’s Military & Veterans Programs will also host its Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Student Terrace, 2220 Hull Road.

The Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Cross Creek-Briarwood Garden Club, will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Freedom Memorial Park — if it rains, the ceremony will take place at the North Carolina State Veterans Park. The ceremony includes Bruce J. Daws as its main speaker, the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (F.I.L.I.), and more.

Fort Liberty

As part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s “Employ A Veteran Week” from Nov. 11-15, the post will be holding a Women Veterans Career & Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the post’s NCWorks Career Center at Soldier Support Building, 2843 Normandy Drive.

Spring Lake

Spring Lake will have a Veterans Day Celebration, starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, with a mural unveiling at the Stitch-In-Time building, 412 S. Main St.

Hope Mills

Hope Mills will host a Veteran’s Day Remembrance Ceremony, starting at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 5766 Rockfish Road. The event will be followed by refreshments in the Hope Mills Recreation Center.

Raeford

As part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s “Employ A Veteran Week” from Nov. 11-15, Hoke County will be holding a Veterans Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the county’s NCWorks Career Center at 304 Birch St.