Here's how to commemorate Veterans Day in the Fayetteville area this year

Cumberland County residents can celebrate veterans in November starting with the Cumberland County Veterans Council’s annual Veterans Day parade.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 in downtown Fayetteville, organizers said.

This year’s theme is “We Fought for Liberty,” parade committee organizer Michele Harling said.

“This ties in with the recent name change from Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty,” Harling said in an email.

The installation which was previously named after Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, redesignated as Fort Liberty in June, following a congressional requirement to rename Department of Defense installations that were named after Confederates.

The parade’s grand marshals will be the 18^th Airborne Corps command team, Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue and Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Barker, along with the garrison command team, Col. John Wilcox and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour.

Harling said “all of North Carolina” is invited to come to Fayetteville for the parade “to show their appreciation” to Fort Liberty’s active-duty soldiers and veterans.

The parade will include the 82nd Airborne Band and Chorus, along with representatives from more than 44 military, veteran and veteran-connected organizations, 13 junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps organizations, three Cumberland County high school band, civic organizations like Boy Scouts and the Shiners and local sports teams.

Harling said the parade is considered the kickoff to “Heroes Homecoming” activities, which is a culmination of events held throughout Cumberland County leading up to Veterans Day.

Other scheduled events include:

Nov. 8

• Methodist University will host a Veterans Day recognition ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon at Matthews Chapel and Ministry Center, adjacent to Huff Concert Hall, 5400 Ramsey St.

The program is open to the public and will honor veterans and provide access to academic, mental health and well-being resources for veterans and their families.

Nov. 9

• Sweet Tea Shakespeare will host a one-night-only showcase of “Band of Brothers,” starting at 7:30 p.m. at District House of Taps, 1240 Fort Bragg Road in Fayetteville.

The performance will weave Shakespeare’s verses with contemporary narratives and music to serve as a gathering for reflection and give tribute to the military community from Fort Liberty and beyond.

Patrons can pick the price of tickets ranging from $10-30 on thundertix.com.

Nov. 10

• Spring Lake will host a public art unveiling at its Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at 102 N. Main St.

The art project, which was a collaboration with the Fayetteville Arts Council, the Appearance Committee and the Veterans Committee, started earlier this month.

• Fayetteville Technical Community College hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the college’s gazebo, 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville.

Nov. 11

• The Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce, Dirtbag Ales, ServiceSource’s Friendship House and the Warrior Bridge Day Program will host an annual chili cook-off and Military Family Appreciation Day from noon to 4 p.m. at Dirt Bag Ales, 5431 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills.

The cookoff will feature live music, a kids' zone and a complimentary family photo booth sponsored by Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp.

Tickets are $10 and include chili flights, while $1 per pint sold of the Heroes Homecoming pilsner will be donated to Warrior Bridge.

The Chamber will also donate portions of proceeds from chili cook-off entries to a local veteran-focused nonprofit.

•  Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktails will host a Ride for a Wreath fundraiser to place wreaths on each veteran's grave at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery and the Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery during the holidays. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fort Bragg Harley Davidson, 3950 Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville. There is a ceremony that starts at 10 a.m., and the ride starts at 11 a.m., ending at Dirty Whiskey, 5431 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills. The cost is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger.

• The U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum hosts veteran and author Will Yeske for its distinguished speaker series from 1 to 3 p.m. at the museum, 100 Bragg Blvd. in Fayetteville.

Yeske’s book, “Damn the Valley” chronicles his unit’s 2009-10 deployment to the Arghandab River Valley of Afghanistan.

Yeske served with the 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division.

An American flag dug out of rubble after an attack during the deployment is on display at the museum.

The event is free to active duty service members who can register in advance at asomf.org.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Where to celebrate Veterans Day in Cumberland County