Alexandria Hosting Two Veterans Day Events

Veterans Day will be recognized with two events Monday, Nov. 11 in Alexandria.

In Del Ray, the Friends of Rocky Versace will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 1 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Mount Vernon Ave.).

The one-hour ceremony will include remarks from Brig. Gen. John W. Nicholson (ret.), a former secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission, a reading of the names of Alexandria’s 67 Vietnam War heroes, recognition of all the nation’s veterans, a wreath-laying by Rocky Versace’s USMA 1959 classmates, sounding of “Taps” and singing “God Bless America.”

• Take a look at what's open and what's closed on Veterans Day in Alexandria

The Capt. Rocky Versace and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Plaza stands outside the rec center.

At 11 a.m. Monday at Alexandria’s Black History Museum, historian C.R. Gibbs will be giving a free lecture on African American involvement in the War of 1812. Due to limited seating, reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 703-746-4356.

The lecture, entitled "The Long, Hard Fight: Blacks and the War of 1812," reveals the complex story of the role people of African descent on both sides of the Americans conflict with the British. Far more than just a story of slaves fighting for their liberty, Gibbs will chronicle a multifaceted struggle for human justice and equality even after freedom had been won on the battlefield.