Juneau Hosts Three Events to Honor Veterans This Wednesday

Juneau will hold three separate gatherings this Wednesday to honor military veterans and active-duty service members, according to reporting from the Juneau Independent.

The scheduled events overlap with the historic 11 a.m. timing of the World War I armistice, which was signed between the Allied nations and Germany on Nov. 11, 1918.

One of the primary observances, held as Armistice Day, will take place in front of the Alaska State Capitol. Veterans for Peace plans to begin a vigil at 10:30 a.m., followed by the ringing of a bell at 11 a.m.

This specific observance maintains the tradition of what was an annual Armistice Day holiday until President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the designation to Veterans Day in 1954.

A second gathering is set for 11 a.m. at Centennial Hall. This event, designed to “recognize and celebrate all veterans,” is being co-hosted by the American Legion Post #25 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Taku Post #5559.

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Twayne Hickman will deliver the keynote speech at Centennial Hall. Hickman is a Marine Corps combat veteran and a professor of military strategy at the Ted Stephens Center for Arctic Security Studies.

A third ceremony will take place at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council Building, located at 3235 Hospital Drive, also starting at 11 a.m. This Southeast Alaska Native veterans gathering will feature a luncheon and a performance by the Yaaw Tei Yi Dance Group.

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Richard Gallant is scheduled to provide the keynote address for the Tlingit and Haida event.

The observances coincide with the closure of city, state, federal, and tribal government offices on Wednesday. While official offices remain closed, several local businesses are providing specific recognition for those who served.

TK Maguire’s has announced it will offer a free breakfast to both active-duty service members and veterans from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The community’s commitment to these traditions was visible in recent months during memorial efforts. In a previous ceremony on Nov. 11, 2025, Korean War veteran Ray Wilson and U.S. Army Col. Erica Iverson placed a wreath at the newly renovated Southeast Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Park.

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