ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Veterans Day is a national holiday that encourages communities to stop and thank those who served in the armed forces.

About 8% of Alaskans are veterans, a higher concentration than in any other state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While some of the bigger Veterans Day events at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fairbanks were canceled this year, there are still plenty of events to attend to throughout the state.

Southcentral Alaska

The Municipality of Anchorage will be hosting a Veterans Day ceremony at Merrill Field at the 11th Air Force Memorial at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Invited guests include Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, Alaska Territorial Guard, Canadian Arctic Members and local military and community leaders.

In Wasilla, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 43-3 will host at the Veterans Wall of Honor, 801 N Fishhook Road, at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Over in Palmer, the Matanuska-Susitna College will be doing a tribute to veterans at the Glen Massay Theater at 2 p.m. There will be a special presentation by Battle Dawgs, a POW/MIA Ceremony, and the guest of honor will be retired Sgt. Tom Spangler. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Interior Alaska

Arctic Light Elementary School on Fort Wainwright will host its Veterans Day Assembly from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the school gym. Guests are welcome to enter through the gym doors starting at 8:15 a.m.

In Fairbanks, the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs will host a BBQ luncheon and a Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony. The open house luncheon will start at noon at 751 Old Richardson Highway.

There will also be a Veterans Day Town Hall at the 8 Star Events Center with members of the Interior Delegation to listen to the concerns veterans may have and to learn more about the veteran community. The town hall will begin at 5 p.m.

Interior Alaska American Legion Post 99 will continue its partnership with the Eielson Air Force Base Honor Guard and the North Pole High School JRTOC to host a flag retirement ceremony on Veterans Day. The ceremony will take place at the Alaska Rangers Camp at 5 p.m.

Kenai Peninsula

Down south in Homer, the annual Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11:11 a.m. Tuesday at the Homer Emblem Club Veterans’ Memorial at the corner of Lake Street and Pioneer. The parade will conclude with a ceremony at the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. Veterans are then invited to enjoy a complimentary meal from the Homer Elks Lodge #2127.

Seward Public Schools will be hosting a program at Seward High School from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be served, and there will also be performances from the Band and Choir.

Southeast

In Juneau, the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony and Luncheon at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall at 11 a.m. The ceremony will also include a keynote address from retired Army Maj. Gen. Richard Mustion.

In Ketchikan, American Legion Post 3 will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at 631 Park Avenue around 9:30 a.m. The ceremonies will conclude around noon with the presentation of 6 Quilts of Valor.

Western Alaska

In Nome, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9569 will be organizing a Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will begin at the Post Office, and will end at St. Joe’s Park. The community is encouraged to come out.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) – As winter weather comes to Alaska, road conditions have become hazardous in some locations, and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) have advice on staying safe while driving in icy or snowy conditions, as well as traveling in cold weather.

According to AST Sgt. Brian Haley, troopers spend a good deal of time dealing with vehicle collisions during the winter, mostly fender benders at intersections. But, he said, “It could be the single vehicle that goes into the ditch on the Richardson Highway. It could be the multi-car collision that takes place on the Mitchell Expressway at University.”

Winter hazards affect “the way that people are driving and it affects the way that our vehicles are going to react on the road. So, the first thing is, is we all need to be mindful that our vehicles are going to act a little bit differently out there,” he said.

The trooper advises drivers to increase their stopping distance as they approach stop signs, traffic signals and other vehicles.

“Really give yourself that extra space, and slow down way before you even think that you’re going to need it,” Haley said, emphasizing that vehicles take longer to stop in winter conditions.

When negotiating a curve, either on highways or in neighborhoods, he said drivers will also want to slow down and “anticipate ‘What am I going to do if and when my car starts to slide?’” so as to be safe around other vehicles and pedestrians.

Increased darkness represents another hazard during the winter months, and Haley recommends that drivers keep their headlights on at all times, and that pedestrians wear visible colors when walking outside.

“Make sure that when you’re taking your kids to school in the morning that you’re carrying flashlights and have reflective items on you to make yourself more visible to that general motoring public,” he explained, adding that wildlife also present a danger in the dark.

“As we get more and more snowpack, those animals, specifically moose, they’re going to start meandering onto the roads because it’s easier for them to walk. And that big dark creature with a big black background at night, those aren’t a good combination,” he said.

Haley urged those driving, regardless of the distance they are traveling, to pack winter gear and ways to keep warm in case their car breaks down.

“That inside of that cab is going to get extremely cold, extremely fast. If you’re just there and your T-shirt and your gym shorts, it’s going to be really bad for you, and it could actually be life-threatening,” he added.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.