Here's How the Orange County Governments, Community Are Recognizing Veterans Day

Monday marks Veterans Day across the country, as residents and governments recognize those who serve in all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

The annual federal holiday often sees different events or ceremonies to honor those who have served, living or dead — and that includes the Orange County community.

Here are the details on a few events happening Monday for Veterans Day:

Events Honoring Veterans

Following tradition, the Orange County Veterans Memorial will host a ceremony on Monday morning to honor the community’s veterans and celebrate the efforts of its project permanently doing so. The memorial, which is funded through donations and has added several elements since breaking ground in 2017, is located between the Seymour Senior Center and Southern Human Services Center off of Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.

On Monday, the group will welcome veterans and visitors at 11 a.m. for a program featuring several speakers, including elected officials and Alfred Scott McLaren — who is a retired U.S. Navy captain, submarine officer, and polar explorer. The ceremony will take place at the memorial, and will be moved inside to the Southern Human Services Center if there is inclement weather.

Later, the Town of Carrboro will hold an event for its employees who are veterans. At 1 p.m. outside of town hall, Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee will read aloud a local proclamation honoring veterans to thank those workers and others who have served.

Operation Green Light

Many of the local government buildings have also been recognizing veterans in the lead-up to Veterans Day by participating in Operation Green Light. The effort is a symbol of support and attempt to raise awareness of the challenges veterans face receiving benefits after they are discharged or retired.

Participating governments and facilities — like Carrboro Town Hall and the Carrboro Century Center — have been lit in green lights at night since Monday, Nov. 4.

More about the national campaign can be learned here.

Are Local Government Offices Open?

Unlike some other national holidays, most of the local governments in Orange County will have normal operations on Veterans Day, with offices and facilities open to visitors and a normal waste collection schedule for Monday.

The lone exception, though, is the Town of Hillsborough — which has town offices closed and will resume its normal hours on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Additionally, any residents who receive trash collection on Mondays will be serviced on Tuesday.

Local Business Specials

The Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership shared a list of businesses offering special discounts to veterans when they present their military ID. They include shops like Brandwein’s Bagels, Ben & Jerry’s, Carolina Brewery and Cholanad.

A full list of participating businesses along Franklin and Rosemary Streets can be found here.

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