A community is shaped by the people who call it home, and Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to recognize neighbors who have served our country. At A&G Residential, we believe that honoring our veterans turns our appreciation for them into something more meaningful.

For residents of Fayetteville and the surrounding Sandhills communities, that might mean attending a parade, visiting a flag display, volunteering, or helping a veteran settle into a home of their own. This area is fortunate to have a variety of ways to participate in Veterans Day, many of which continue well past November 11th.

A Brief History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day’s roots go back to November 11, 1918, when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany took effect at 11:00 am, bringing World War I to a close. The first Armistice Day commemoration followed in 1919, with November 11th becoming a legal holiday in 1938.

In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day, following World War II and the Korean War, to recognize American veterans of all wars. Today, Veterans Day honors everyone who served honorably in the U.S. military, during wartime or peacetime.

While it is common to confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day, the latter specifically remembers those who died in military service, while Veterans Day offers the opportunity to recognize living veterans and their contributions.

This year, Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, though local celebrations may take place on its surrounding dates. In Fayetteville:

• Fayetteville’s Veterans Day Parade, an annual event, is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, beginning at 10:00 am, in downtown Fayetteville. This year marks the parade’s 30th anniversary, alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event brings together veterans, active-duty service members, military organizations, and community groups. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our service members in a shared celebration.
• Visit the 2026 Field of Honor at Fayetteville’s U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum on Bragg Boulevard. This display features flags honoring those currently serving, veterans, and those who gave their lives for our country’s freedom. While the display is already open to visitors, it will end on November 11, 2026.
• The U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum is an amazing way to learn more about the local airborne and special operations divisions. It is open year-round, and admission is free.

Outside of Fayetteville, each of A&G Residentials’ additional central North Carolina communities has Veterans Day ceremonies just around the corner, including:

• Harnett County Veterans Day Ceremony: This community gathering will take place on November 11th at 11:00 am in Harnett County Veterans Park.
• Hoke County Parade of Flags: Kicking off at the Hoke County Museum, this community tour honors military veterans through a county-wide flag display beginning November 11th.
• Johnston County:
  • Johnston County Public Schools will host the county’s Veterans Day celebration at 11:00 am in the Smithfield-Selma High School Gymnasium on November 11th. This student-led ceremony will be followed by a Thanksgiving-style meal in the cafeteria.
  • The Benson Veterans Day Parade will start at Main Street and Parrish Drive on November 7th at 11:00 am.
• Moore County:
  • The 14th Annual Southern Pines Veterans Parade will take place on November 7th at 10:00 am, starting at the Sunrise Theater.
  • Moore County Veterans Day Remember Service will take place at 12:00 pm at the Moore County Veterans Memorial Park on the same day.

While attending a Veterans Day celebration is meaningful, aiding veterans with everyday needs is another way to show support.

• Veterans Services of the Carolinas offers several ways for community members to get involved. From preparing hygiene kits to writing cards to assisting with local events, VSC offers a variety of outreach methods. VSC has four offices located across North Carolina, ready to welcome volunteers.
• The VA Fayetteville Coastal Health Care System also welcomes volunteer service, financial contributions, and approved donated items. The mission of this team is to improve the health and well-being of veterans, their families, and caregivers.

There are also ways to mark Veterans Day at home.

• Displaying an American flag is a beautiful way to thank local veterans, but there are guidelines on how to do so respectfully. Following the Veterans’ Associations Flag-Display Guidance, US flags flown from a home’s flagpole should always be placed at the peak of the pole. Many North Carolina residents also fly state flags, and those should always sit below the U.S. flag, whether on an angled pole or staff. Traditionally, U.S. flags should be brought in from sunset to sunrise or be well-lit if displayed overnight.
• Thank-you cards are much appreciated by our veterans, and making them is a great way to involve children in the holiday. Local veterans’ organizations are happy to distribute completed cards.
• Host a history lesson! As a family, learn about a neighbor or relative’s military service or visit a local military-history exhibit. In either case, you may encounter a veteran willing to share their story.
• If you live in a neighborhood, coordinate a volunteer day in tandem with a local veteran’s organization.

Honoring our veterans doesn’t require milestone events. Simply choose an option that fits your family, and your effort will be appreciated.

At A&G Residential, we know that “home” extends beyond our four walls and into our communities. This Veterans Day, we invite residents to explore opportunities to recognize and thank the veterans in their communities.

From the A&G Residential team to every veteran