Honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s heroes at this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
In recognition of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, our program will pay special tribute to veterans of all generations. The ceremony and afternoon events will celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their sacrifices, and reflect on their enduring contributions to our country.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Major General Burke Whitman, USMC (Ret.).
Program Participants also include:
• Lt. Col. John Thompson, Master of Ceremonies
• Wayne Coleman, Bagpiper
• Timothy Miller, Tenor Soloist
Ceremony attendees are welcome to visit Atlanta History Center on Veterans Day following the ceremony and will receive free admission. Experience special programming throughout the afternoon, including guided tours, WWII exhibits Our War Too and Their Finest Hour, oral histories from the Veterans History Project and more.
The ceremony is free to attend. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to an indoor location.
We are glad to honor free admission all day for Veterans who present a valid ID.
This program is generously sponsored by ATLVets.
Day of Programming Schedule
-
Ceremony | 11:00am-12:00pm
Major General Burke Whitman- Keynote
Lieutenant Colonel John Thompson- Master of Ceremonies -
Resources at Veterans Park | 9:30am-12:00pm
Additional Programming | 12:00pm-4:00pm
-
Veterans History Project Video | Ongoing
The Veterans History Project oral history collection contains video and audio interviews of veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, and civilians who supported them.
-
Self-guided Tour of "Our War Too" | Ongoing
Our War Too: Women in Service is a groundbreaking special exhibit honoring the nearly 350,000 American women who answered the call to serve their country during World War II. Through this exhibition, learn about servicewomen’s wartime efforts, their accomplishments, and their impact that extends into the present day.
-
Digital Collections Pop Up | Ongoing
Visit our Gatheround Gallery to see a specially curated selection of artifacts from our collections highlighting those who served in WWII, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts.
-
Guided Tour of "Their Finest Hour"
1:00—1:30 pm
2:00—2:30 pm
3:00—3:30 pm
Experience one of our newest exhibits on Atlantans’ role in WWII with a guided tour led by Sue Verhoef, Director of Oral History and Genealogy. This exhibition honors the sacrifices of the World War II generation by sharing their stories from more than 850 oral histories preserved in Kenan Research Center’s Veterans History Project. -
Salute a Service Member | Ongoing
Show your appreciation for our active-duty service members by coloring a postcard and writing a message of thanks!
-
Resources in Atrium | Ongoing
Veterans History Project Table
Education Department Travel Trunks and more!
About the Keynote Speaker
Major General Burke W. Whitman is an American executive, board director, and former US Marine commanding general.
In business, he serves as CEO of Colmar Holdings and on the boards of directors of Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE) and Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq). Previously he was CEO of HMA (NYSE Fortune 500), CFO of Triad (NYSE Fortune 500), and president of Deerfield Health, all three of which were merged with other companies.
In military service, he served for 34 years as an infantry, recon, and general officer of US Marines, with 14 years cumulatively on active duty, during which he led ten overseas deployments including peace enforcement in Bosnia and multiple combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He commanded ground combat forces at all levels, served as the commanding general of a Marine Division and of US Marine Forces, and as a general officer with the Secretary of Defense.
As a volunteer, nationally he has served on the boards of the Federation of American Hospitals, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Marine Corps University, Nashotah Theological Seminary, Toys For Tots Foundation, and the United States Secretary of Defense; he is a member of Business Executives for National Security, and a volunteer ordained chaplain. Locally in Atlanta he has served on the boards of the Buckhead Coalition, Lovett School, Northern Trust advisory board, and Piedmont Healthcare Foundation; he is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. Burke is a regular university lecturer and a public speaker on leadership and national security.