National Archives Marks Veterans Day in Washington, DC and Nationwide
Press Release · Thursday, October 29, 2015

Washington, DC

To mark Veterans Day and the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II, the National Archives will hold special programs and events at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC and at National Archives Presidential Libraries nationwide.

Events at the National Archives Building in
Washington, DC

All programs at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, are free and open to the public. The building is located on the National Mall and is fully accessible. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. Book signings will follow the book talks. Metro accessible on Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. Additional information online.

SPECIAL DISPLAY: Japanese Surrender Document
National Archives West Rotunda Gallery, through November 11, 2015
On September 2, 1945, in a formal ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan, representatives of the Japanese government signed the Instrument of Surrender, officially ending World War II. The document was presented to President Harry S. Truman at the on September 7, 1945, exhibited at the National Archives and then formally accessioned into its holdings. Additional information online.

PANEL DISCUSSION: In Honor of Our Veterans: Caring for Our Heroes
Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube
What has Congress done to aid active service members, veterans, and their families? What lessons can we learn from how veterans from previous conflicts were supported upon their return? Moderated by Robert Levinson, Senior Defense Analyst with Bloomberg Government, the panel includes Amanda L. Meredith, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee; former members of Congress Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY), who served on House Veterans Affairs, and Bob Clement (D-TN), who was in the National Guard while serving in the House; retired Army Staff Sergeant Charles Eggleston, three-time Purple Heart recipient who spent over three years at Walter Reed recuperating from wounds sustained in Iraq; and Alison Messick, director of programs at the Navy SEAL Foundation. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

FILM: Hunting in Wartime
Tuesday, November 10, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater
This documentary (2014; 60 minutes) profiles Tlingit Vietnam War veterans from the village of Hoonah, Alaska. The film traces the racism that affects their livelihoods and the challenges they faced—and continue to face—in the military and back at home. Samantha Farinella, the film’s director, will introduce the screening.

RECORDS TALK: Military Service and Casualty Records Electronically Available
Tuesday, November 10, at 2 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube
Archives specialist John LeGloahec highlights the variety of military, service, and casualty records in the custody of the National Archives Electronic Records Division and where these records can be viewed in our Access to Archival Databases. Presentation materials online.

BOOK TALK: The Rise of Germany, 1939–1941: The War in the West
Friday, November 13, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube
James Holland weaves together the experiences of civilians, infantrymen, line officers, military strategists, diplomats, and heads of state with war strategy, tactics, and the economic, political, and social aspects of World War II.

Events at National Archives Presidential Libraries Nationwide

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
The Life and Love of George Sizer, Wednesday, November 11, at 2 p.m.
Dr. Mark DePue, Director of Oral History at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, will discuss the military and personal lives of Civil War soldier George Sizer. Free with paid Museum admission. Related exhibit: The Making of a Great Humanitarian: Herbert Hoover and World War I.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with the National Park Service, offers free admission to veterans on Wednesday, November 11. Veterans Appreciation Day, November 7, 10 am-1 pm, Henry A. Wallace Center

Co-hosted by the Dutchess County Veteran’s Association, veterans and their families are invited to hear speakers, enjoy food and music, tour the site and learn about veterans’ benefits and services. Military Medals Presentation Ceremony at noon.

Veteran Arts Showcase, November 20-22, Henry A. Wallace Center. Opening: Friday, November 20, at 5:30 pm; Displays and Performances: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 9 am-5 pm. The Showcase will feature works by local artists, photographers, and authors with military backgrounds. Free and open to the public.

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Ike Skelton Veterans Day Salute
Sunday, November 8, noon-5 pm.
Highlights include: opening ceremony with a flyover by the Heart of America Commemorative Air Force; a talk by Joseph L. Galloway, author of We Were Soldiers Once...And Young; performance by “National Anthem Girl” Jeanine Stange; a “chow line,” military vehicle display; and, a bagpipe-led presidential salute and wreath-laying ceremony at President Truman’s grave to conclude with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

Related exhibit: “Till We Meet Again: The Greatest Generation in War and Peace.”
This exhibit takes America back to the tumultuous year of 1945 to share the epic struggle of world leaders and everyday men and women who accomplished the extraordinary.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
A Veterans Day Flag Ceremony
Wednesday, November 11 at 10:30 am, held in partnership with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Related exhibit: “World War II Remembered: Leaders, Battles and Heroes, 1941-1945”
Focusing on stories of unsung heroes and lesser-known events of the war, this exhibit showcases the major theaters of the war and special units including the Tuskegee Airmen and Native American Code Talkers, as well as stories of women at war and on the home front.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum honors veterans with free admission on November 11. Free admission to active military year-round.
New “Young Jack” Exhibit presents JFK's early years including his military service
Exhibit opening November 5 celebrates Veteran's Day
Exhibition visitors will catch glimpses of “Young Jack” as a boy, a student, and a decorated war hero. Touchstones of JFK’s military experience include:

• JFK’s Navy dog tag (he served in the South Pacific during World War II);
• Coconut inscribed by JFK with the message that led to his rescue after his patrol torpedo boat, PT 109, was rammed by a Japanese destroyer during World War II; and
• The Navy and Marine Corps Medal and Purple Heart Medal awarded to JFK in 1944.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum honors veterans with free admission on November 11.

The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
Book talk: Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge by Anthony Beevor
Monday, November 9, 2015 at 7 pm, Theater, free and open to the public
Prizewinning historian and author of D-Day and Stalingrad, Anthony Beevor, reconstructs the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Veterans Day Commemoration, Wednesday, November 11
This Commemoration includes a keynote by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne (Ret), Civil War reenactments, cannon and artillery demonstrations, World War II and current military vehicle display, a flyover by the Tiger Squadron, musical performances, and more. All Veterans Day activities are free and open to the public. Free Museum admission for veterans on November 11 and to active military year-round.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum honors veterans and their family members with free admission on Wednesday, November 11. Year round, the Bush Library offers free admission to active-duty and reserve service members and up to five qualifying family members.

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission to military personnel and their families on November 11 and 12.

Military records at the National Archives

The National Archives is the official repository for records of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard, and other government agencies. These records include: military personnel service records, textual documents including unit reports and rosters; maps and plans; photographs; posters; motion pictures and sound recordings; and electronic records. Resources include:

• Military and Veterans records at the National Archives and Online Veterans and Military Documents
• Video Short highlighting how the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, processes military records requests.
• Selected Finding Aids related to World War II records at the National Archives
• Background information and a transcript of the Instrument of Surrender on the list of 100 Milestone Documents of American history.
• Finding Information on Personal Participation in World War II
• National Archives congratulates Monuments Men on Congressional Gold Medal
• Honor Flight visit to the National Archives October 19, 2015 -the 89-veteran contingent included 33 from World War II, 54 from the Korean War, and two from the Vietnam War—all of them from Minnesota and the Dakotas. Photos online.

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