Veterans Day Ceremonies and Holiday Hours| 10:01AM / Saturday, November 08, 2025 | |
U.S. Veterans Affairs
An image of the 353rd Infantry in France taken two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect.
Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and will be observed as a state and federal holiday.
The federal holiday commemorates the service of the nation's military veterans in ensuring peace.
It was first known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In recognition of the efforts of World War II veterans, President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 creating Veterans Day to honor all American veterans.
The Veterans Day National Committee chooses a commemorative poster each year from submitted artwork that can be downloaded or printed out.
Closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11:
Some federal and local offices
Some public schools
BRTA buses routes are not running, and offices closed; service resumes on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Public libraries
Berkshire Food Project
Open:
Most retail outlets, groceries
Restaurants and bars, by choice
Convenience stores
Veterans Day Parades, Ceremonies and Other Celebrations
Pittsfield: The annual Veterans Day ceremony will begin with a parade that steps off from Allen Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and concludes at Veterans Memorial Park on South Street.
Lineup will take place 9:30-9:45 a.m. on Fenn, Pearl and Allen streets, departing from City Hall at 10 a.m.
A ceremony will follow at the memorial, with opening remarks from Mayor Peter Marchetti. The Master of Ceremonies will be Jim Clark, director of veterans services for Pittsfield and the Central Berkshire Veterans District. The officer of the day is Robert Dassatt of Dalton American Legion Post 155. The event will also recognize the Berkshire Veterans Coalition's Veteran of the Year Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra and William "Smitty" Pignatelli, former state representative, for his ongoing support of veterans in Berkshire County and beyond.
Pittsfield Community Television will televise the parade and ceremony on CityLink 1303, PCTV Select available at pittsfieldtv.org and its Facebook page.
Lanesborough: Jake's Java is holding a clothing and food drive for veterans in need from 10 to noon at 20 Williamstown Road. Complimentary coffee for veterans and Live 95.9 will broadcasting live.
Lenox: Morris Elementary students will line West Street on Monday, Nov. 10, for a wave parade as veterans and service members drive by. Those wishing to participate should lineup at 45 West, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, beginning at 9:20 a.m.
North Adams: The Veterans Day parade steps off from American Legion Post 125 on American Legion Drive at 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and marches to the Veterans Memorial on Eagle Street. Keynote speaker is Drew Pajak, vice commander of the American Legion's Massachusetts Department; Mayor Jennifer Macksey will give greetings; Mitchel Keil, American Legion Post 125 Adjutant, is master of ceremonies, and the wreaths will be laid by the city's Veteran Services Officer Kurtis Durocher and Post 125 Auxiliary President Mary Ellen Levesque.
Participants are asked to arrive at the Legion by 10 a.m.; doughnuts and coffee will be available beginning at 9:30. All veterans and veterans groups are welcome to march.
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