Lawrence Celebrates Veterans Day With Parade and Local Events
Downtown Lawrence will host a parade on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor veterans across Douglas County, headlining a series of commemorations leading up to and following Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Lawrence Veterans Day Parade Association has organized the 11 a.m. procession, which will feature a flyover, the Lawrence Times reported.
Parade Travels North on Massachusetts Street with Shelly Kortkamp Leading as Grand Marshal
The parade will begin at South Park, located at 1141 Massachusetts St., and travel north along Massachusetts Street to Seventh Street. Participants will include local veterans from all military branches, color guards, and various military vehicles. Shelly Kortkamp, president and CEO of LMH Health and a U.S. Air Force officer from 2002 to 2008, will lead the event as Grand Marshal.
University of Kansas Athletics and ROTC Commemorations
The University of Kansas has scheduled multiple events to mark the holiday. On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2:45 p.m., the university will hold a Salute to Service football game against the University of Central Florida, featuring a flyover by Black Hawk helicopters. Tickets and event details are available through the university’s athletics department. The KU ROTC will conduct a colors ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 4:30 p.m. in front of Strong Hall at 1450 Jayhawk Blvd. The ceremony includes guest speakers, a ceremonial wreath presentation, and the lowering of the national flag at sunset.
KU Vets Day 5K Marks the University Vietnam War Memorial Anniversary
The annual KU Vets Day 5K is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, starting and ending at the Jayhawk Welcome Center at 1266 Oread Ave. The race marks the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the university’s Vietnam War Memorial and is open to participants of all abilities. The registration fee is $40. The Dole Institute of Politics maintains a virtual memory wall where community members may submit photos and profiles of Kansas veterans for digital display alongside thousands of other service members.
Hy Vee Hosts Free Breakfast and Offers Grocery Discounts for Military Personnel
On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Hy-Vee location at 3504 Clinton Parkway will host a free dine-in breakfast for retired and active-duty military personnel between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. The store is also offering a 15% discount on in-store and online grocery purchases for service members using the code VETS2026.