VETERANS DAY 2025: CEREMONIES & FLYOVERS CANCELED DURING SHUTDOWN

Most years, Veterans Day is marked by parades, music, and the sound of engines overhead. This year, though, things are quiet. A new Department of War memo from Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, says all official community-relations activities that need government funds or resources are paused during the federal shutdown.

This includes flyovers, band performances, parade formations, color guards, and public ceremonies with active-duty units. All activities that use appropriated funds are suspended until Congress restores funding.

“Service members and civilian employees are prohibited from participating in official outreach activities during the lapse in appropriations,” the memo reads, “including flyovers, aerial demonstrations, band performances, ceremonial unit demonstrations, and public speaking engagements.”

What’s Still Allowed: Uniforms, but Only in a Personal Capacity

The memo makes one important exception: service members may wear their uniforms to Veterans Day events if they do so as private citizens, in accordance with DoD Instruction 1334.01.

This means participation must occur while off duty, without use of government resources, at the individual's own expense, and in strict compliance with all relevant uniform regulations. Wearing the uniform must not imply official endorsement or representation by the Department of Defense.

1. Occurs off duty and at personal expense
2. Complies with service-specific uniform regulations
3. Does not imply official endorsement or representation by the Department

“A service member may wear the uniform at a Veterans Day event in a personal capacity, provided they follow service-specific guidance and ensure that their attendance does not suggest official DoD endorsement or involvement,” Parnell wrote.

In summary, you may attend and wear your uniform with pride at Veterans Day events, as long as you are not representing yourself as an official government representative or Department of Defense participant.

DoD Civilians: Attend, but Don’t Represent

For DoD civilian employees, many now furloughed, the rules are the same: attend events privately, not in any official role, and without government resources or DoD representation.

The Hatch Act and federal ethics rules remain in effect, so no official activities until funding resumes.

Why the Shutdown Stops Public Ceremonies

Federal law does not allow appropriated funds for “non-excepted” activities during a funding lapse. Community-relations efforts (COMREL) are considered non-excepted, so air shows, band tours, and similar events stop as soon as funding ends. Even a simple parade appearance requires money for travel and support, now on hold.

“It’s not about intent; it’s about legality,” one senior public-affairs officer said. “Once funding stops, we cannot spend a dollar or an hour of government time on outreach.”

When Have We Seen This Before?

This is not the first time Veterans Day has taken place during a government shutdown.

• 2013: War memorials in Washington, D.C., were barricaded during a 16-day shutdown, but Veterans' groups still gathered to honor fallen comrades.
• 2018-2019: The second-longest shutdown in U.S. history came weeks after Veterans Day, delaying reimbursements for ceremonies already held and freezing future outreach budgets.
• 2025: For the first time, Veterans Day falls mid-shutdown, halting nearly all official military participation.

These cycles have changed the tone of the day, but not its purpose.

What’s Off-Limits Under Current Guidance

The Department’s memo clearly lists prohibited activities during the funding lapse:

• No official parades or formations using active-duty personnel or resources.
• No flyovers, aerial demonstrations, or band performances supported by appropriated funds.
• No official speeches, flag details, or public affairs participation tied to Veterans Day events.
• No government transportation or per diem for travel to or from ceremonies. All of these activities will start again once funding is restored and commanders get approval from DoD Public Affairs.

Despite the pause, the spirit of Veterans Day endures. Communities continue to gather, even without the sound of a marching band or the spectacle of aircraft overhead.

"You don't need a formation to remember your fallen," said Sgt. (Ret.) David Hernandez. "Just stand quietly and remember why you served."

For many, this quiet is what the year calls for: a time to reflect without pageantry or politics.

Looking Ahead: When Funding Returns

When Congress restores funding, community-relations programs will return to normal. Bases will work with local leaders again to plan events that connect the military and the public. Until then, commanders must check with their legal and public-affairs offices before approving any outside participation.

The Department says following federal law is important to protect both the military and public trust. As Parnell’s office noted:

“Reference (a) requires the cessation of official COMREL activities to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including prohibitions on the use of appropriated funds.”

The lack of major events does not diminish the meaning of Veterans Day. It may even make it clearer. Without banners or formation lines, remembrance becomes personal again: a hand over the heart, a photo on a mantle, or a quiet salute at sunrise.

In a year full of uncertainty, one thing remains true: gratitude does not depend on government funding. People all over our nation are coming together in ways they never have before. To support one another, to feed the hungry, and this Veterans Day, they’ll still celebrate all who have served. Our nation will remain grateful.

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