Omaha and the surrounding metro area will host a series of free, community‑focused events on Wednesday, Nov. 11, giving veterans, active‑duty personnel, and their families multiple ways to mark Veterans Day, according to 3newsnow.com.
Early in the morning, Cabela’s in La Vista and Bass Pro Shops in Council Bluffs will serve a free breakfast to veterans from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with attendees entered into a raffle for a special prize. Hy‑Vee stores throughout the Omaha area will also provide a free breakfast for veterans and active‑duty members from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and the retailer is offering a 15 percent discount on grocery purchases that day.
At the West Omaha Hy‑Vee, the annual breakfast drew one of the largest turnouts in recent memory. Store director Marcus Fischer said the event lets employees thank the veterans who shop there every day, while veteran Tom Sullivan, a regular for at least 20 years, said the growing public respect makes him proud to be an American. Store managers estimated the breakfast served more than 200 additional people compared with last year.
One of the city’s largest public commemorations will take place at Memorial Park at 11 a.m., hosted by American Legion Post 1. The ceremony will feature a military color guard, guest speakers, and a wreath‑laying honoring all branches of service. Former Omaha City Council member and Marine Corps veteran Garry Gernandt, who lost friends in the Vietnam War, said the remembrance is deeply personal. Veteran Dick Silvernail added, “It’s good to honor them today.” Northwest High School JROTC cadets Kayla Ortiz and Mathyus Lincoln participated in the color guard and said the event helped them appreciate veterans’ sacrifices.
Following the ceremony, lunch will be served at the American Legion Post 1 building near 78th and Davenport streets. The Durham Museum will offer free admission to veterans and families from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a 2 p.m. performance by Offutt Brass, a group of professional airmen, and a complimentary hot‑dog meal at the soda fountain.
Additional free‑admission opportunities include the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, open to active and retired military members, veterans, and their families from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Tangier Shrine Center will host a gathering from 11 a.m. to noon, and the Military‑Connected Resource Center on the UNO campus will hold a lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Veterans Day group ride will start at Swanson Park in Bellevue at 9:30 a.m. and run until noon.
These coordinated events provide Omaha residents with numerous options to show gratitude, connect with fellow community members, and learn from the experiences of service members.
What’s next: Residents are encouraged to attend the events that fit their schedules, with most locations offering free entry and meals. For detailed locations and times, see the individual announcements from Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Hy‑Vee, Memorial Park, The Durham Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, Tangier Shrine Center, UNO’s Military‑Connected Resource Center, and the Swanson Park ride.
Sources: 3newsnow.com, 3newsnow.com, 3newsnow.com
