Join us in honoring veterans with special activities and a free public ceremony on the grounds.
On Veterans Day, Americans are encouraged to commit themselves to the cause of peace and to honor the nation’s veterans for their courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. The Museum and Memorial hosts commemoration events every November, highlighting the connections between Veterans Day and World War I.
2026 Centennial Veterans Day Weekend
Friday-Monday, Nov. 6-9 and Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
(Closed on Tuesday, Nov. 10)
Nov. 6-9 Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 11 Museum hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission discount: Free admission for veterans/active-duty military and half-price general admission for the public during Veterans Day Weekend.
2026 Centennial Veterans Day Events
World War I Research Stations
When: Friday-Monday, Nov. 6-9, and Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby (inside the Museum and Memorial)
What: Find your connection to World War I during Veterans Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases – including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives – discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the Public.
Vietnam Era Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter Display
When: Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: U-shaped Drive
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the Public.
WW1USA Amateur Radio Station
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Remote
What: The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to remotely host special event station WW1USA. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. Are you a short-wave radio operator? Join us! Learn more at ww1usa.org. Open to the Public
Veterans Day Ceremony
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.
Where: Auditorium and Lobby
What: Join us for a moving ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans. The formal public program will include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address, as well as special music. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the Public.
Ceremony Livestream:
Make Your Own Poppy Pin
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Near the Glass Bridge
What: Create your own poppy craft to keep for yourself or give to a friend! If you miss the craft table before it closes, you can make your own poppy at home with this Cut-Out Poppy or the instructions for this 3D Poppy. FREE to the Public.
Keynote Speaker
Lieutenant General Jim P. Isenhower III
Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Lieutenant General Jim Isenhower was commissioned in 1992 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He served in the 1st Armored Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 25th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army Pacific, 1st US Army, and at the Pentagon on the Joint Staff and the Army Staff.
Lieutenant General Isenhower has commanded echelons through the Division level. He also served as an assistant professor in the Department of History at the United States Military Academy, and as the executive officer to the Commanding General, US Army Pacific and to the Director of the Army Staff.
He most recently served as the assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G357 at Headquarters, Department of the Army. He currently serves as the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
LTG Isenhower has participated in operational deployments in Panama, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and throughout the IndoPacific. He served three combat tours in Iraq in Mosul, Baghdad, and the Diyala Province.
LTG Isenhower’s military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. He holds a BS from the U.S. Military Academy, an MS from the National War College and an MA and PhD from Duke University.
LTG Isenhower and his spouse Sherrill have been married for thirty years. They are the proud parents of three sons.
Tips for Commemorating Veterans Day
From “8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day,” courtesy of Military.com
- Show Up – Attend a Veterans Day event in your area.
- Donate – There a number of organizations that support veterans.
- Fly a Flag – Not sure of the proper etiquette? Look here.
- Ask Someone About their Service – Questions such as “What did you do in the military” and “How long did you serve” are great starting points.
- Write – Send a postcard, letter or email.
- Don’t Confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day – Veterans Day is a time to thank people for their service. Memorial Day is meant to reflect on those who gave their lives during service.
- Visit a VA Hospital – Many host special events on Veterans Day.
- Get Outdoors with a Veteran – Admission to national parks is free for everyone on Veterans Day.
Learn more about the origins of Veterans Day
2026 Hero Sponsor
2026 Sponsors
GEHA
Hunt Family Foundation
This event is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
