Schedule of Veterans Day events and closures

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 10, 2008 | by Kristin Bender

Veterans Day events and closures

For you, Veterans Day might mean a day off from work.

For many, it is much more than that.

There are between 24 million and 25 million living American veterans and an estimated 80,000 veterans living in Alameda County.

Nov. 11 is set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, from all wars.

Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954 when President Eisenhower rededicated it.

Nov. 11 historically had been the anniversary of the end of World War I, which then was thought to be the war to end all wars.

Veterans Day events are not widespread, but there are a few happening in Oakland and Berkeley.

Events include:

-- A flag-raising with the Boy Scouts of America at 11 a.m. in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Center Street in Berkeley.

-- A public ceremony on the historic USS Hornet aircraft carrier at 1 p.m.

The Hornet is located at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3. Military veterans wearing their unit jackets, hats or showing proper identification at the ticket desk will receive complimentary admission to the museum through Nov. 16.

U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Jason Hamilton, executive assistant to the Pacific area commander, will speak, and music will be provided by the Boy Scouts of America's Peninsula Scout Band, which has performed with the U.S. Air Force's Band of the Golden West.

What's open and what's closed today:

-- Federal and state courts and offices: closed.

-- Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, Albany and all other city offices and Alameda County offices: closed.

-- Banks: closed.

-- Post offices: closed. (Postal employees will deliver express mail.)

-- Public schools: closed.

-- BART: weekday schedule.

-- AC Transit: regular service.

-- Caltrain: regular weekday service.

-- Kristin Bender