Join us for our annual Veterans Day observance ceremony saluting all who have served with 2025 keynote speaker Major General John P. McLaren Jr. – U.S. Army (Ret.)

MG John P. McLaren Jr.

John P. McLaren Jr. served in the United States Army from 1974 to 2011, retiring at the rank of Major General, with more than thirty-seven years of active and reserve status service. Major General McLaren served as the last Commander of the 80^th Division and the first Commanding General of the 80th Training Command (TASS) from May 17, 2008 to August 29, 2011.  During this assignment, the newly reconstituted 80th Training Command (TASS) trained over 100,000 Soldiers of the Army Reserve, National Guard, and Regular Army in over 160 distinct courses of instruction in all Combat Service and Combat Service Support Military Occupational Specialties in the Army. The 80th Training Command, during his tenure, became a national command with units in 34 States and with soldiers residing in all 50 states.

His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with one silver and two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Parachutist Badge.

Read more about McLaren’s life and service.

Free admission until noon. Guided tours begin at 1PM. Please bring your own chair. No food in plaza. No pets (service animals welcome).

Thank you to our Veterans Day event sponsors.