CHARLOTTE — Veterans Day honors the millions of brave people who have served our country. Communities across our area will be commemorating their service today. Here’s what’s going on near you:
The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society will host a program at 11 a.m. Wednesday to honor veterans in Mount Pleasant. Bells will ring out in honor of the first Armistice Day in 1918 that marked the end of World War I. Local veterans will also be honored.
A Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Military Wall of Honor in downtown Waxhaw.
There will be a Memorial Ceremony at Glenwood Park Cemetery at 11 a.m., followed by a Veterans Day Parade through downtown Mooresville at 1 p.m.
Former White House Military Chef and 30-year U.S. Navy veteran Martin C. J. Mongiello will deliver the keynote address at Shelby’s Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. after the parade. The town will also unveil a new granite monument honoring military service. Learn more here.
The Town of Cornelius and American Legion Post 86 will celebrate Veterans Day at the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza and the Cornelius Town Hall lawn at 11 a.m.
The Town of Davidson is commemorating Veterans Day Wednesday morning at the auditorium at the Davidson Town Hall & Community Center.
Celebrate Veterans Day in Fort Mill at its annual celebration at the Veterans Memorial, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Head to Veterans Memorial Park in Matthews for a ceremony honoring the sacrifices of our veterans and their families at 11 a.m.
Veterans Day Deals
Many businesses thank veterans for their service by offering freebies and deals on Veterans Day. Some of these deals apply for active service members as well.
[ READ MORE: National chains offer deals for Veterans Day ]
All military personnel and veterans can get a free soft serve milkshake of any flavor at Ace No. 3.
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free burger and side at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carolina Ale House is offering a dine-in only deal where veterans can get a free half rack rib platter Wednesday.
Harriet’s Hamburgers will honor veterans with a free meal.
Veterans can get 30% off their meal from The Improper Pig Wednesday.
Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free car wash at Autobell.
Get a free haircut at any Sports Clips or Great Clips locations. If you aren’t a service member, you can get a free haircut card at Great Clips to gift to a veteran for future use.
Sheetz is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free half turkey sub and regular-size fountain drink, as well as a free car wash.
Military members of past and present along with their families can get 25% off their purchase at Goodwill.
Veterans and their families can also get free admission to the Schiele Museum in Gastonia, the Museum of Illusions in Uptown and the North Carolina Zoo.