National WWI Museum & Memorial: Free Admission for Vets, Military Nov. 7-15

In commemoration of Veterans Day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting
place to honor those who have served — and continue to serve — our country.

Kansas City Veterans Day events - National World War I Museum and Memorial

Photo credit: Visit KC

The Museum and Memorial is hosting a variety of events on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.

Be sure to check out our full round-up of Kansas City Veterans Day Discounts, Freebies and Events.

WWI Museum & Memorial Admission Specials

The Museum and Memorial is open on Veterans Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day. Free parking (including accessible parking) is located on the south side of the Museum and Memorial in the U-shaped drive and in the West Visitors Lot.

General admission to the Museum is FREE for Veterans and active duty military personnel from Saturday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.

General admission to the Museum is half price on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, for the public.

WWI Museum & Memorial Veterans Day Activities

The World War I Museum and Memorial kicks off a Veterans Day celebration with skydiving and then proceeds with several other moving events that are free to the public.

Legacy Jump

A “Legacy Jump” kicks off the Nov. 11 Veterans Day activities at 6:30 a.m.

Led by Purple Heart Recipient, former Navy SEAL and extreme sports enthusiast, Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, the “Legacy Jump” will feature an All Veteran Group parachute team. The team members will tandem skydive a Veteran from each war – World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan War and Iraq War, as well as Sept. 11 – and land on the Museum and Memorial’s North Lawn.

The participating Veterans range in age from 28 to 92.

Parrott will cap off the jump with a symbolic WWI Soldier and “Missing Man” BASE Jump from the 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower in honor of POW-MIAs and a war that is talked about infrequently. The “Legacy Jump” will bring together generations of veterans, including news host Pete Hegseth, to raise funds and awareness for veteran and first responder causes through the Bird’s Eye View Project.

Veterans Day Ceremony

When: 10 a.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard

Join a moving ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans with a keynote address from Bob Kendrick,
president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Mayor Quinton Lucas will deliver a special reading. This year’s abbreviated ceremony will be outdoors.

Please dress warmly, practice social distancing and wear a mask.

Living History Volunteers

When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard and Paul Sunderland Bridge

History is brought to life with Living History Volunteers who will be available for social distanced
pictures.

Cars 4 Heroes Ceremony

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, North Lawn

For 24 years, Cars 4 Heroes has provided free, basic, reliable transportation to Veterans, First Responders and their families, that otherwise are not able to obtain transportation for themselves. Join us for a moving ceremony as the organization hands over the keys of 11 cars to deserving individuals.

Walk of Honor Dedication Ceremony

When: 2 p.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard

More than 100 new Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony.

The Walk of Honor is divided into three sections: bricks dedicated solely to those who served in World War I; bricks dedicated to veterans of any military service; and bricks that honor civilian friends, family or organizations.

Walk of Honor bricks are dedicated twice each year during Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.

Kansas City Symphony Performance

When: 3 – 5 p.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Southeast Lawn

At a time when audiences cannot visit indoor venues, the Symphony is taking the music on the road to
reach music lovers and families in every corner of the metropolitan area. Kansas City Symphony’s new outdoor stage on wheels, the Mobile Music Box, will be on the Museum and Memorial’s Southeast Lawn for a 3 p.m. performance.