Veterans Day ceremonies to welcome and honor WWII veterans in their 90s and 100s

A ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington will honor WWII veterans, and movie actor Jimmy Stewart, the subject of a new film. The national anthem rings out at the World War II Memorial in Washington on Sept. 2, 2025. Special ceremonies at the memorial are scheduled in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON — The Friends of the National World War II Memorial have confirmed that at least 17 World War II veterans will be honored in person at a special tribute on Veterans Day recognizing the 16.4 million Americans who served. There are only about 30,000 World War II veterans alive today, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Given their advanced age, the number of surviving veterans is dwindling fast. The remaining veterans, now in their 90s and 100s, make up less than 0.2% of those who served in World War II. And their numbers are expected to drop to 20,000 in 2027, according to VA projections. “We are doing our best to celebrate those who are with us and capture their experiences with these live ceremonies and on video,” said Scott Warner, spokesman for the Friends of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. “It’s critical we tell their stories now and celebrate the greatest generation