How To Honor War Heroes On Veterans Day In North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is held yearly on Nov. 11. It honors all American veterans and military.

North Andover's Patriotic Observance Committee is holding a virtual ceremony this year. it will air at 10 a.m. on North Andover GovCAM, Verizon – Ch. 26, Comcast/Xfinity – Ch. 8 or online.

There is no in-person event. View the program here.

Here's what's open and what's closed:

• Municipal, state, federal offices: Closed.
• Schools: Closed.
• Libraries: Closed.
• Banks: Closed.
• Mail: Post offices closed; express delivery only.
• Trash, recycling: Delayed one day.
• Supermarkets: Open.
• Convenience stores: Open.
• Retail stores: Open at owner's discretion.
• Restaurants, bars: Open at owner's discretion.
• Package stores: Open at owner's discretion.

Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was created at the end of World War I to recognize those who fought in “the war to end all wars,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Its origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly after the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.

With some ceremonies, parades and presentations either canceled or altered in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active military members.

Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Chili’s Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.

Other places, such as Golden Corral and Eat'n Park, have offers extended throughout November.

Veterans Day is somewhat related to, and sometimes mistaken for, Memorial Day, the federal holiday on the final Monday of May that is dedicated to those who have died while serving the United States in war.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.