Best Veteran's Day 2015 Events In Chicago

Veterans Day, arriving on Nov. 11 every year, honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military and is also a perfect time to learn more about the wars where they were engaged, visit war memorials or attend recognition ceremonies. The day was originally approved by a Congressional Act as Armistice Day because World War I with Germany had officially ended at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. The holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize people who served the U.S. in all wars. Later, a movement to change the date to October didn't work, so in September 1975 a law passed to re-instate Nov. 11 as of 1978. The suggestions listed here of places to go for this year's holiday range from a ceremony and lecture to a museum and book reading.

James Holland: The Rise Of Germany, 1939-1941
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
104 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 374-9333
www.pritzkermilitary.org

Date: Nov. 11, 2015 at 6 p.m.

Historian James Holland will talk about what he uncovered when researching his trilogy on World War II. He will offer facts and arguments that may change originally held thoughts to myths. Go early to also see artifacts, posters and exhibits. The museum is currently featuring "Faces of War: Documenting the Vietnam War from the Front Lines." The exhibit is from the Department of the Army Special Photographic Office.

Date With History: The Lost Sketchbooks, A Young Artist In The Great War
Cantigny Park
1S151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, Il 60190
(630) 668-5161
www.cantigny.org

Date: Nov. 11, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

The event is about scenes that Corp. Edward Shenton drew of battles in the Argonne and Marne, elsewhere and during his training. Shenton, who continued as a professional artist after the war, always carried a sketchbook. The drawings are interpreted by author Rex Passion who just came out with his book "The Lost sketchbooks." Go early to visit the First Division military museum on the grounds. It contains you-are-there build-outs from WWI through Vietnam.

Veterans Art Exhibition
Lake County Courthouse
18 N. County St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 599-2500
www.waukeganweb.net

Date: Nov. 11, 2015, all day

Appreciate veterans through three Waukegan Arts Council ArtWise exhibits: "The Art in War - Benjamin Busch Photography," "Veterans Visual Art Exhibition" and "Ryan Spencer Reed Photography Exhibit." "The Art in War," done by Busch, a filmmaker and photographer, can be seen at the Waukegan Public Library during library hours. The exhibit has photographs Busch took while in the infantry and during light armored reconnaissance. The Reed photography exhibit can be seen nearby at the Urban Edge Gallery from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It became part of his portfolio while with the 101st Airborne Band of Brothers, Afghanistan. The third exhibit can be seen at the nearby Lake County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The art is by veterans at the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Car Center. All the exhibits are free. Click here for ArtWise.

Related: Best 2014 Veterans Day Events In Chicago

Veterans Day At Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St. at 1st Ave.
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 688-8000
www.czs.org

Nov. 11, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Chicago Zoological Society will have a display of military vehicles on the Discovery Plaza and military memorabilia inside the Discovery Center. The posting of colors and the National Anthem will take place from 1 to 1:15 p.m., followed by comments from CZS President Stuart Strahl.  Adults and youngsters who come that day can meet animal ambassadors from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and see the Legacy Girls perform from noon to 1 p.m. The Jesse White Tumblers perform from 1:15 to 2 p.m. In addition, members of the military can enroll in the Cook County Military and Veterans Discount Program.

Chicago Veterans Day Ceremony
Soldier Field, Gate 0
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 235-7000
www.cityofchicago.com

Date: Nov. 11, 2015 at 11 a.m.

Chicago holds an annual ceremony to thank and honor veterans. The ceremony is at the Doughboy statue in Soldier Field. Originally called the Municipal Grant Park Stadium, the field was renamed in 1925 at the request of the Chicago Gold Star Mothers. The term "doughboy" had referred to a member of the U.S. Marine Corps in World War I. The Soldier Field ceremony includes Taps, speeches from military and political figures and the laying of a wreath.

Related: Five Historical Facts You Didn't Know About Chicago

Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.