Veterans Day is Being Marked in Different Ways in Southern Tier

A number of Veteran’s Day activities are planned in addition to parades like the one taking place at 2 p.m. November 11 in downtown Binghamton.

A demonstration is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday, November 11 at the First Congregational Church in Binghamton by Veterans for Peace.  The group says it will celebrate the hope of peace on the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War 1 by “reclaiming Armistice Day.”  The group says it will celebrate, not warriors but the end of “war’s carnage. The bell in front of the church will be rung 11 times and some songs in opposition to war will be sung.  Veterans for Peace will display a war victim cemetery on the Main Street side of the church, along the Binghamton parade route with symbolic tombstones to represent the number of Vietnamese, Iraqi and Afghan people killed versus U.S. troops. VFP will hand out poppies along the parade route.

A Veterans Day ceremony is also planned for 11 a.m. Sunday in LaFayette Park in the Village of Oxford where the new Veterans Memorial Walkway will be dedicated. Around 500 engraved pavers have been ordered for all wars, relatives living and deceased and from people sponsoring for others.  The contributions are from New York, 23 other states, Canada and other countries.

Tuesday, November 13 a free concert given by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band will be performed at the Broome County Forum Theatre.  The concert is at 7 p.m.  Free tickets are available at the Arena Box Office.

Monday,November 12, many businesses and offices are observing Veterans Day, check to make sure if things like license offices are open before you head out.