Veterans Day is tomorrow, marking the 104th anniversary of the official end of combat in World War I.
Government offices for Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the towns of Vienna and Herndon will be closed for the federal holiday, which extends to Fairfax County Public Schools students and the court system.
Notably, the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Fairfax County Government Center will be closed for the day. The county has scaled back its hours of operation, starting this week.
What to do
Commemorative events have been planned throughout the area to recognize those who have served in the military, including a full weekend of activities at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir.
Those looking to attend a ceremony will have several local options:
- Herndon: 11 a.m. on the Town Green, sponsored by American Legion Post 184
- Fairfax City: 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Upper Ballroom of the American Legion (3939 Oak Street)
- Great Falls: 11 a.m. to noon at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial behind Great Falls Library
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon: events throughout the day with free admission for all active, former and retired military service members
For anyone hoping to get outdoors, Veterans Day is one of the National Park Service’s five annual fee-free days, when admission is free for all visitors, including at Great Falls Park.
Trash and recycling
Fairfax County won’t have any changes to its trash and recycling collection schedule, and recycling and disposal centers at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex will remain open. Department of Public Works and Environmental Services administrative offices will be closed through the weekend.
The county advises residents served by private haulers are advised to contact those companies directly.
Trash collection in Vienna and Herndon will also happen as usual, but Fairfax City is picking up Thursday and Friday routes today. Curbside yard waste collections in the city could be delayed through Saturday (Nov. 12).
Transportation
Metrorail will follow its standard weekday schedule, with stations operating from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Metrobus, however, will use a Saturday supplemental schedule, meaning that not every route will be operating.
“MetroAccess paratransit service will operate regular service. On the holiday, scheduled recurring ‘subscription trips’ are automatically canceled,” the Metro alert says.
Fairfax Connector will provide holiday weekday service tomorrow.
Fairfax City’s CUE bus system will have modified weekday service.
Community centers
The McLean Community Center will close tomorrow, though its Old Firehouse Center for teens will be open.
The Reston Community Center’s Hunters Woods and Lake Anne facilities will both be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Herndon will close its community center for the holiday, while Vienna’s will follow a modified schedule of 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Libraries, Parks and Recreation
Fairfax County Public Library follows the same holiday schedule as the county government, so all branches will be closed Friday.
The Fairfax County Park Authority’s rec centers will be open, with people who currently or have served in the U.S. armed forces getting free admission for the day.
Park closures include the historic sites at Colvin Run Mill and Sully, Green Spring Gardens, all nature centers, and the visitor center at Riverbend Park. Frying Pan Farm Park’s farm and indoor arena will be open, but not the visitor center.
Editor’s Note — FFXnow is also taking a day off tomorrow for Veterans Day, but we’ll be back to our regular publishing schedule next week.
Veterans Day, honoring all those who have served in the U.S. military forces, is Thursday (Nov. 11).
From banks to post offices and more, expect many services to be not operating to observe the holiday.
Libraries, courts and other swaths of county, state and federal services are affected, such as the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Aside from banks, most businesses will be open. If you’re unsure, call ahead to check.
Meanwhile, Fairfax County Public Schools will have a two-hour early release.
Transportation
The Fairfax Connector will operate on a holiday weekday schedule, meaning some routes will offer their standard, weekday service, while others won’t operate at all.
The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority Metrorail will continue with its reduced frequencies on the Silver Line amid its railcar investigation following a derailment in Arlington on Oct. 12.
WMATA buses will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Metro will have off-peak fares throughout the day, and parking at all Metro-owned lots and garages will be free.
Parks, Falls Church Services
County recreation centers and parts of Frying Pan Farm Park will be open, but other Fairfax County Park Authority centers will be closed.
Rec Center admission will be free for all veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families with a military identification.
City of Falls Church offices and services, including the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, will be closed.
Photo via Aaron Burden/Unpsplash
