Many Places, Ways to Honor Military Members on Veterans Day

The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum in Boyerstown, PA provides an interactive WWII experience.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, many Americans will gather to commemorate Veterans Day — a day to honor and thank all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, living and dead, for their patriotism, courage, and willingness to serve the country. While it is difficult for those who have not served to understand the many sacrifices these soldiers have made, there are numerous museums, monuments, and even military-esque experiences that can help civilians better grasp the importance of honoring these heroes.

One of the newest museums dedicated to the veteran experience is the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum in Boyertown, Pa. Named for the first commanding officer of the U.S. Air Force, this World War II experience offers two types of tours: a self-guided tour via cellphone or listening devices, or an interactive tour that simulates what it was like to be part of a B-17 bomber crew over Germany. Visitors are immersed in the sights and sounds of aerial warfare, including attending preflight briefings, donning gear and equipment, piloting a bomber, and acting as waist gunners and bombardiers before finally escaping from occupied France and a German POW camp.

The museum also includes a Hall of Heroes dedicated to the men and women who served in WWII, as well as clothing, newspaper clippings, and posters of the time for a truly authentic experience.

The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in nearby Reading, Pa., holds an annual WWII Weekend every June that features everything from a Frank Sinatra impersonator to a militaria flea market, bomber and fighter aircraft on display, and military encampments. Visitors can even book a ticket to ride in a Boeing B-29 Superfortress or Curtiss-Wright SB2C “Helldiver,” among other vintage aircraft. Reenactors and 1940s-themed entertainment make the event come alive, as do the many retired military members willing to share stories of their service.

There’s nothing quite like boarding a 4,500 lb. Huey and looking out from the gunner’s seat as huge propellers lift the aircraft from the ground.

Those interested in learning about Korean and Vietnam-era experiences can take a ride on a Bell UH-1 Huey or an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter through the efforts of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum. Organized in 1997 by veterans looking to increase awareness of U.S. Army aviation and military veterans, the group obtains, restores, and maintains flyable historic aircraft.

There’s nothing quite like boarding a 4,500-pound Huey and looking out from the gunner’s seat as huge propellers lift the aircraft from the ground. Flying without doors, the sound is deafening, and the wind is whip-sharp. It’s hard to imagine how exhilarating — and terrifying — this experience must have been for young soldiers overseas, who not only had to deal with the twists and turns of the massive machine but incoming fire as well.

The AAHF provides helicopter rides several times throughout the year at its home locations in Hampton, Ga.; Mesa, Ariz.; St. Louis, Mo.; and host locations throughout the nation. Check out www.armyav.org to see where they’ll be flying.

While you can’t fly in it, you can check out the very impressive McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle at its new home in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Located adjacent to Dulles Airport, this lesser-known sister museum to Washington, D.C.’s National Air and Space Museum features nearly 3,000 artifacts, memorabilia, and archival materials that chronicle the history of aviation and spaceflight.

The F-15C Eagle is one of the most historically significant fighter planes of the post-World War II period, as well as the first aircraft of its kind to be added to the Smithsonian collection. The aircraft joins other memorable aircraft, including the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, the Space Shuttle Discovery, and the SR-71 Blackbird, among others.

Speaking of D.C., there are numerous places to pay your respects to military veterans, including the National WWI Memorial and the U.S. Navy Memorial downtown; the National Guard Memorial Museum on Capitol Hill; the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National WWII Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall; and the U.S. Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in greater Virginia. At the time of this article, some sites were not open due to the government shutdown; make sure to check hours and availability on each website before planning a visit.

If you can’t make it out of town but still want to celebrate past and present soldiers, Pittsburgh’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, located in Oakland, is a unique military memorial dedicated to honoring the men and women of all branches of service from all generations and conflicts. Displays include uniforms, medals, firearms, artwork, and equipment from the Civil War through the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Narratives and photographs of 84 Pennsylvania Medal of Honor recipients line the Hall of Valor, which also includes a searchable database containing the names of more than 700 local honorees.

Pittsburgh is also home to one of the largest and longest-running Veterans Day parades in the country, which has taken place every year since 1919. The parade features groups representing veterans of all eras, military units, civic and youth groups (including Junior ROTC), businesses, and more, as well as floats and military and vintage vehicles. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10:30 a.m., beginning at the intersection of 10th Street and Liberty Avenue.

For more information, visit www.pittsburghveteransparade.com.