Veterans Tribute NC

Veterans Tribute NC returns with a full list of activities, including the annual Veterans Day Parade along Western Boulevard, a family fun event at the Jacksonville Commons, tours of the Lejeune Memorial Gardens and the Veterans Walk of Honor. Make plans now to join us in Jacksonville, NC!

Explore our website for more information on hotels, things to do and see, and places to eat while you are in Jacksonville.

Veterans Walk of Honor - Nov 5-13

Located at 109 Montford Landing Road: During a visit to the Lejeune Memorial Gardens, you'll have a chance to view the Veterans Walk of Honor. Submissions for Veterans are accepted throughout the year and are featured signs that will be deployed throughout the Gardens. We invite the public to stop by the Gardens for this special tribute.

Lejeune Memorial Gardens Self-Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tour of the Freedom Fountain and Lejeune Memorial Gardens

Lejeune Memorial Gardens is the site of the national Montford Point Marine Memorial (honoring the first black Marines who served at nearby Camp Johnson); the nation’s second largest Vietnam memorial, the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial with the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice etched in glass; the 9/11 Beam honoring those who gave their life in the 1983 Beirut Bombing, the first salvo in the War on Terrorism. You’ll also see the largest 3-D Eagle, Globe and Anchor statue (symbol of the U.S. Marine Corps) and the future entry into the Carolina Museum of the Marine/ Al Gray Civic Institute.

You can enjoy our new audio tours in the Gardens. Use your phone to scan the QR codes at each memorial in the gardens.

Lejeune Memorial Gardens: 109 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville, NC 28541

Next, consider grabbing a selfie or video at the Freedom Fountain (across from the Gardens) at 895 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville NC.

Friday, November 4

The Onslow Civic Affairs Committee will host the Freedom Fountain Observance at 10 AM Friday, November 4. The Freedom Fountain, located at 895 New Bridge Street, honors all those who passed through Jacksonville in service to their country. It features 54 jets representing the 50 states, the three branches of government and one center jet representing our service members. The observance is held each year to dedicate the fountain to those who serve and invites representatives from each municipality to add a few drops of water to the fountain pool.

November 4- November 13, 2022

Passport to Flavor with International Food Trail

Choose to dine at one of our International Food Trail restaurants. Share a photo from your experience on Instagram or Facebook using the #InternationalFoodTrailJNC hashtag and tag @VisitJacksonvilleNC. With each entry, you’ll be entered to win a hotel package in Jacksonville valued at $500. Contest ends November 13 with the drawing held November 14 - follow @VisitJacksonvilleNC for the latest updates!

Visit Phase One of our International Food Trail and plan your meals: https://www.visitjacksonvillenc.com/189/International-Food-Trail

November 5, 2022

Jacksonville Speckled Trout Tournament, Casper’s Marina

This is the third event of the $10,000 NC Coastal Trout Series hosted by the Jacksonville Onslow Sports Commission. Teams must enter three of the five series events to qualify for the series pay out.https://www.playjosc.com/troutseries

Veterans Day Parade

November 5, 10AM, Along Western Blvd, from 444 Western Blvd to Liberty Drive: Come out and show your support for our Nation's troops and Veterans. The parade is hosted by NCOA Downeast Chapter 906.

Red, White and Salute - November 5

Red, White and Salute! An afternoon of fun, food, music, touch-a-truck displays and more

12 to 4 pm, Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex, 100 Recreation Ln, Jacksonville, NC. Admission is FREE. Join us for:

Red, White and Vroom: This is your chance to feel like a kid again and see curious kids have serious fun interacting and learning about vehicles of all types. Join us at the touch-a-truck event with fire trucks, military and police vehicles, construction equipment, a JEEP vehicle exhibition, excavator, Mission BBQ Smoker Truck and more
Live Music, rock wall, laser tag, roaming entertainers
Hands-on art activities, lawn games and more
Food trucks
Laser light show at 7 PM: Don't miss this spectacular visual entertainment as the sun goes down on Veterans Day. The show uses laser light effects and music to create a dancing light display across the night sky.

Laser Light Show, November 5

Where: Jacksonville Commons Ballfields at 100 Recreation Lane

When: 2 shows, 7PM & 8PM

Bring your chairs and/or blanket as early as 6 PM and enjoy a beautiful, vibrant and patriotic light show filling the skies. You will not see this anywhere else; this special event provided by the City of Jacksonville has been especially produced for Veterans Tribute NC by Emerald Owl Productions. FREE and open to the public. Join us for a beautiful end to an exciting day.

Onslow Veterans Pow Wow, November 5-6

Onslow Veterans Pow Wow

The Onslow Veterans Pow-Wow is a unique national event. A pow-wow is a social gathering where Native peoples meet, sing, dance, socialize and honor their culture. This second annual Onslow Veterans Pow-Wow honors veterans. The Onslow Veterans Pow Wow is the only veterans pow wow in Eastern North Carolina. It is also a stand-out event in that it brings together tribes from across the United States to dance, compete and share the story and power of Native cultures. Many pow wows are closed to the public or bring together members of one tribe.

This two-day event is open to the public and will attract tribal dancers and participants from as far away as Arizona. Come celebrate this unique, important cultural gathering in Jacksonville NC. Guests will enjoy food from Native vendors, and Native dance, music and drumming events. Two unique offerings this year include a tipi tour and sweat lodge. If you are new to pow wows, try to attend the Grand Entry events—the intertribal pageantry and moving ceremony will leave you breathless and stir new respect for Native culture.

Location: American Legion Fairgrounds, 146 Broadhurst Road, Jacksonville NC https://www.onslowpowwow.org/

November 5

Jacksonville Onslow Council for The Arts Veterans Art Show And Open House

Gather to view and celebrate the art of veterans from across the region via Creative Discovery Studio. Light refreshments will be served.

Time: 4-6 pm. Free. Location: Jacksonville Onslow Council for the Arts at 826 New Bridge St, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Friday, November 11- Sunday, November 13 (Ongoing)

Military Basketball Association Tournament, Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex, 100 Recreation Ln, Jacksonville, NC

The Military Basketball Association promotes the military athlete through basketball. Sponsored by the National Montford Marine Point Marine Association with benefits going to an Onslow/Jacksonville Charity. The host; Eastern North Carolina Marine Basketball Men’s Varsity Basketball program will welcome the Department of Defense and First Responders to the 1st Inaugural Veteran’s Day Tournament in Jacksonville, NC.

Friday, November 11- Veterans Day

Veterans Day Observance

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization honors Veterans every year at the DAV Onslow County Chapter 16. The observance will be held at 11AM November 11 at 300 Sherwood Wood, Jacksonville NC.

“What Does Honor Really Mean?” November 11

A discussion with BGen Kevin Stewart, USMC (Ret), the new CEO of the Carolina Museum of the Marine | Al Gray Civic Institute. Join us on Veterans Day at 9 AM to learn more about the Carolina Museum of the Marine and Al Gray Civic Institute and its mission. The event will be hosted by Jacksonville’s SgtMaj Joe Houle, USMC (Ret). General Stewart will discuss leadership, his experience in the Marine Corps, and his vision for the Carolina Museum Of The Marine and how the Al Gray Civic Institute’s mission is “to sustain the ideals that are the foundation of our nation and to build principled, committed citizens" and provide a unified focus on citizenship to help engage all ages.

Location: Wantland Ferry Room, Jacksonville Station, 1300 N Marine Blvd

November 12, 2022

Swansboro Century Club SPECKLED TROUT Tournament; Casper’s Marina

This is the fourth event of the $10,000 NC Coastal Trout Series hosted by the Jacksonville Onslow Sports Commission. Teams must enter three of the five series events to qualify for the series pay out.

https://www.playjosc.com/troutseries

Tuesday, November 14 - Passport to Flavor Drawings and winners announced

Winners will be announced on @VisitJacksonvilleNC Facebook and Instagram.

Wanna learn more about our International Food Trail? See what other media outlets are saying: National website TravelAwaits.com and writer Loretta Berry wrote, “On my most recent trip to Jacksonville, I tried foods that I never have tasted before. I decided to include three places here based on the dishes that I felt had exceptional flavors, ones that prompted me to say, ‘oooh’ and ‘aaah’ with every bite.” Read the full story.

November 19, 2022

JOSC Speckled Trout Shootout, Jacksonville Landing

This is the last event of the $10,000 NC Coastal Trout Series hosted by the Jacksonville Onslow Sports Commission. Teams must enter three of the five series events to qualify for the series pay out.

https://www.playjosc.com/troutseries

Support our Veteran-Owned businesses while you're enjoying your time in Jacksonville, NC.

See our list here: http://www.visitjacksonvillenc.com/188/Veteran-Owned-Businesses

Operation Green Light: Jacksonville is showing our support for veterans.

You may notice green lights throughout the city as part of Operation Green Light, a campaign that invites people to light their home porch or business storefront with a green light to show support for veterans. If you're a local, join us by lighting your home entrance with a green lightbulb starting November 5. Together, we can light the way for our hometown heroes.