Naperville veterans and their families have three chances to gather on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11: a morning ceremony, a school Mass and a free turkey dinner.

The Naperville Municipal Band opens the Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at Veterans Park, 303 E. Gartner Road, according to Positively Naperville.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., keeping the tradition of marking the holiday at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Parking is available across the street at Grace United Methodist Church.

Veterans Park also houses the Gold Star Families Memorial, a site used for wreath-laying tributes at past observances.

Marine Corps flag raising on the Riverwalk

A Flag Raising Ceremony was scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, along the Riverwalk between Main and Webster Streets. The event marked the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th birthday.

A combined 12-member squad from American Legion Post 43 and Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 led the salute.

The Naperville Marines held their annual Marine Ball on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Sheraton Lisle Naperville Hotel.

Free turkey dinner for veterans

The Judd Kendall VFW hosts its annual Veterans Day Turkey Dinner on Nov. 11. It is free for all veterans. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. at 908 W. Jackson Ave.

Veterans who want to attend should RSVP by email to [email protected].

More ways to observe

St. Raphael School, 1215 Modaff Road, hosts a Veterans Day Mass at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a reception and assembly at 10 a.m., Naperville Patch reported.

Several local restaurants, including Mission BBQ on Route 59, are offering free meals and discounts for service members on Nov. 11, Positively Naperville reported.

This week in Naperville

  • Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10:45 a.m.: Veterans Day ceremony. Naperville Municipal Band performs; ceremony at 11 a.m. Veterans Park, 303 E. Gartner Road. Free. Parking at Grace United Methodist Church.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 11, 8:45 a.m.: Veterans Day Mass and reception. St. Raphael School, 1215 Modaff Road. Free.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m.: VFW Veterans Day Turkey Dinner (social hour 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m.). Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson Ave. Free for veterans. RSVP: [email protected].