Need To Know: Birmingham Celebrates Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day, the day we dedicate to remembering and honoring those who have served in all branches of the U.S. military. Birmingham will honor the day with a wreath-laying ceremony at Shain Park Friday morning, as well as by closing various city offices.

Are you a veteran or are you looking for ways to celebrate this special day? Here's what you need to know before you head out:

What's open and closed

• will remain open on Veterans Day.
• will also remain open Friday, kicking off the first day of its at 7 p.m.
• The will be closed on Friday.
• Most area banks will be closed on Friday, with normal business hours resuming Saturday.
• Don't think the kids get a day off school: will still be in session.

Area events

• 
  When: 11 a.m. Friday
  Where:
  More Information: The ceremony will be led by the Piety Hill chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• 
  When: 11 a.m. Friday
  Where: Veterans Park at 500 W. Big Beaver Rd. in Troy
  More Informatio: The ceremony will be hosted by the city of Troy
• 
  When: 11 a.m.
  Where: Royal Oak City Hall at 221 E. Third Street in Royal Oak
  More Information: The event includes the St. Paul's Methodist Childrens Choir, the Ninth Kentucky Infantry and members of various VFW posts.

Several area organizations celebrated Veterans Day early. A brass quintet from the Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orcehstra puts on its second Coffee and Classics event at the Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council and Center, featuring patriotic favorites.

In addition, celebrated by inviting several soldiers into the office to collect leftover Halloween candy as part of Operation Gratitude. Candy donations are accepted at the office through Nov. 17.

Deals for veterans

• Oakland County Parks — Veterans can receive a $10 golf coupon at any of the five Oakland County Parks golf courses, valid for green feeds on a future visit during the 2012 season, on Friday. Servicemen and women must provide proof of service.
• Applebees (Madison Heights) — Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special, limited six-item menu on Friday.
• Hooters (Troy) — All veterans and active duty eat free on Friday. Entrees must be selected from a special Veterans Day menu.
• Krispy Kreme (Troy) — All active duty, retirees and veterans get a free doughnut on Friday. Call ahead to make sure your Krispy Kreme is participating.
• T.G.I. Friday's (Troy) — When you buy one item, veterans and service members receive another free Nov. 11-14.
• Home Depot (Troy) —  All veterans receive a 10 percent discount on Friday.
• Build-a-Bear Workshop (Somerset, Troy) — Members of the armed services receive a 20 percent discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction.
• Lowes (Bloomfield Hills) — All veterans receive a 10 percent discount on Friday. The offer is available only in stores and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

History of the holiday

Veterans Day was first celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919 as "Armistace Day," intended to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and in 1938, Nov. 11 became a national holiday. It wasn't until 1954 that the name was changed to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars.

Looking for some fast facts about Veterans Day? According to the 2010 American Community Survey:

• There were 21.8 million military veterans in the United States in 2010. Of those, 1.6 million were women.
• In 2010, there are 9 million veteran age 65 and older. At the other end, 1.7 million were younger than 35.
• Of the number of total living veterans, 7.6 million – or 35 percent — served during the Vietnam-era (1964-75).
• In the 2008 presidential election, 15.8 million, of 71 percent, veterans voted.