Before it was Veterans Day, it was Armistice Day—to honor the end of World War I on November 11, 1918–at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It carried a hope for a sustained peace as it paid tribute to the veterans of Gthe reat War, but World War I was not the war to end all wars. September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of World War II. Though Armistice Day was not forgotten, celebrations were somber remembrances. After World War II concluded in 1945 and the Korean War in 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation to expand Armistice Day to include all veterans and rename the celebration of November 11 to Veterans Day.
Today, Franklin County’s 10,250 veterans join 17.2 million veterans nationally. These men and women served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. Veterans make up 9% of the adult county population, higher than the 6.5% of the national adult population.
Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites residents and visitors to explore the county with the Franklin County Military Trail of History, available at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center and online at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com. The Military Trail takes travelers on a self-guided tour through the monuments, memorials, cemeteries, forts, houses, and parks that honor those who served in America’s military and armed forces.
Local celebrations and remembrances of Veterans Day include:
| Event & Location | Date & Time | Details |
| Chambersburg Rotary Flags for Heroes Display Sellers Funeral Home | November 7–16 Dawn to Dusk | Open for walkthroughs to honor local heroes. |
| Shippensburg Veterans Day Parade King Street (Prince to Spring Streets) | Sunday, November 8 2:00 PM | Parade marches along King Street. |
| Mercersburg Veterans Day Banquet Harry Lackhove American Legion Post 517 | Sunday, November 8 5:00 PM | Free to Mercersburg and surrounding area residents. Advance sign-up required. |
| The Wayne Band Veterans Tribute Concert Quincy Village (Hess Room) | Monday, November 9 7:00 PM | Free concert honoring veterans. Open to the public. |
| Veterans Day Memorial Service at Green Hill Cemetery 953 S. Potomac St.,, Waynesboro | Wednesday, November 11, 11:00 AM | Speaker: Army Major Peter Walters |
| Chambersburg Veterans Day Parade Fifth Avenue and Lincoln Way East | Wednesday, November 11 Steps off at 10:15 AM | Traditional community Veterans Day parade procession. |
| Rough Edges Steal the Pint Night 91 West Main St., Waynesboro | Wednesday, November 11, 4 PM to closing | Bringing back Devil Bees beer for limited-edition glass release; $1 of each pint donated to Victory House by I’m OK Vets, Inc. Also 10% off tab for active duty and veterans. |
| FCVB Living & Remembered Veterans Exhibit Franklin County Visitors Bureau | Launches Nov 11 Runs through Festival of Trees, ending on Dec. 5 | Special multi-week display honoring local service members. |
| CCC Veterans Day Presentation Cowan’s Gap State Park | Wednesday, November 11 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | History of Civilian Conservation Corps projects and the unique units reserved for WWI Veterans. |
| Waynesboro Theatre Free Movies for Veterans Waynesboro Theatre | Nov 11, 13, & 14 Varies by date | Free admission for veterans: • Nov 11 (7 PM): Drummer Boy • Nov 13 (7 PM): Jimmy • Nov 14 (4 PM): Dunkirk |
| Field of Remembrance (America250PA) Gettysburg Eternal Light Peace Memorial | November 12–23 Open daily | Memorial display of over 51,000 flags honoring Battle of Gettysburg casualties. |
In addition to local commemorations, a variety of regional and national chains are offering discounts, incentives, and free meals to past and present armed services members on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Highlights include:
- Applebee’s: Free meal from a limited menu (dine-in only) plus a $5 Bounce Back Card for a future visit.
- Sheetz: Free half turkey sub (including add-ons), a regular fountain drink, and a free car wash.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: 10 free boneless wings and fries with a valid military ID or WeSalute+ card.
- Red Robin: Complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries (dine-in only).
- Hoss’s: Free Soup, Salad, Bread, Nacho & Dessert Bar plus an Iced Tea (dine-in only), plus a $10 off $40 voucher.
- Texas Roadhouse: Free meal vouchers (distributed 11 AM to 2 PM) redeemable for a choice of 10 entrées through May 31, 2027.
- Chipotle: Free chips and choice of dip (classic or Chili Lime) with a minimum $5 purchase.
- Starbucks: Free tall (12-ounce) hot or cold brewed coffee for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
- SONIC Drive-In: Half-priced shakes in any size and flavor.
Most restaurant deals require proof of service, such as military ID, VA card, or discharge papers. Free meals are typically for dine-in only at participating locations.
For more information on historical publications—such as the Letterkenny Italian POW Connection brochure—or to pick up a physical copy of the Military Trail of History Guide, visit the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center on the square in Chambersburg, call 717.552.2977, or go online to ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com/publications.
Underground Railroad
