(Heartland News) - Communities and organizations across the Heartland will be hosting Veterans Day events on Wednesday, November 11.
There will be parades, ceremonies and more.
You can send us details on your community event to news@kfvs12.com.
The following is an unofficial list of events in the Heartland:
Missouri
Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville is inviting the community to join in a special Veterans Day ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The event will feature the official dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, remarks from Gold Star family members and a ceremonial wreath laying.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield will be hosting a free pancake breakfast for veterans and offering free tours of the museum and exhibits. Veterans are asked to bring their spouses, families, friends, and fellow service members. Click here for more information.
American flags honoring those who have served in the U.S. armed forces are scheduled to be installed at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at The Avenue of Flags at Cape County North Park. The flags will remain flying through Friday at 5 p.m. Volunteers are sincerely welcome for setup and takedown. Organizers say there will be a ceremony inducting 12 new veterans to The Avenue of Flags on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place under the new Patriots Pavilion.
There will be a Veterans Day Assembly at the Sikeston Field House from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. Visitors will need to check in to the Raptor visitor management system in the Field House lobby and visitors will need a government-issued photo ID to check in. Weapon detectors will be in use. Local veterans from the Sikeston Veterans Park will participate along with the High School Band, Choir and Orchestra performing. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety will post the Colors and perform the gun salute. This year’s honored guest and speaker will be General Robert Payne of the Missouri National Guard.
The Sikeston Honors Veterans Banner Program will host a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10:15 a.m. at Veterans Park, at the corner of Linn and Campanella Streets. They will be retiring the 2026 Veterans Honor Banners displayed at the park and giving the banners to the veterans and their families. The new 2027 Honor Banners will be displayed and these veterans will be recognized. All veterans and the community are invited to attend.
The Cape Girardeau Joint Veterans Council will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park. This is at the corner of Broadway and West End Blvd. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., and all are welcome to attend.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Fort D Historic Site will mark Veterans Day with the Turner Brigade volunteers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the firing of the original 1861 Woodruff Cannon at 11 a.m. The stone building known as the blockhouse, with its interior displays, will also be open for visitation. Admission is free.
The Veterans Day parade in uptown Jackson is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The parade route begins at the Frozen Food Locker on South High Street and ends on Russell Street. Full details on the parade route can be found here.
A veterans benefit gospel concert will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Advanced tickets are $10 and $15 at the door. Veterans can attend for free with ID. Children 10 and under are free. Donations are welcome. Featured guests include: Nancy Summers Lotz, Champions for the Lost, The French’s, Blake Wade, The Wilkerson’s and Rising Son. For more information call or text 870-809-4370 or 573-381-1363.
Illinois
Southern Illinois University Carbondale will hold its 45th annual Veterans Day flagpole vigil near the center of campus from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. ROTC cadets will stand silent throughout the day, changing shifts every 15 minutes. There will also be a ceremony at 11 a.m.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host a resource workshop for military veteran small business owners and those wanting to start a small business on Friday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The City of Anna and the Anna VFW - Carroll P Foster Post 3455 will be hosting its annual Veterans Day parade at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in downtown Anna.
Kentucky
The city of Paducah will host its annual Veterans Day events on November 11: the Sunrise Reveille at 6:15 a.m., the Veterans Day Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m. and the Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m.
Copyright 2026 Heartland News. All rights reserved.