Veterans Day

Join Rockville’s Mayor and Council at this annual ceremony in honor of the men and women who served in the nation’s armed forces. American Legion Post 86 will lead the wreath-laying ceremony and their honor guard will present a twenty-one gun salute.

Event Info

Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Veterans Park, at the intersection of MD 28 and Rockville Pike. Free parking will be available at Sandy Spring Bank, 611 Rockville Pike.

Still have questions? Contact: 

Special Events
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240-314-8620
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specialevents@rockvillemd.gov
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111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

2023 Veterans Day Speaker — United States Army Col. Paul Hughes (Retired)

Head shot photo of Paul Hughes, in business suit and tie.Paul Hughes served as an active-duty Army officer from 1975-2005, serving in a variety of positions with both the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the 9th Infantry Division. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and of the Iraq War. He served as the director of national security policy on the Army staff from 2000-2002, developing and providing policy guidance for the Army on arms control, weapons of mass destruction, missile defense, emerging nontraditional security issues and crisis prediction. From 1996-2000, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he led the Department of Defense effort to craft U.S. landmine policy and the department’s response to several international humanitarian crises.

His awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, and several campaign and service ribbons.

He recently retired from the United States Institute of Peace as its director of overseas safety and security, and as a special advisor. He previously served as USIP’s chief of staff and director of its Nonproliferation and Arms Control Program. He also served as executive director of the Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panels in 2010 and 2014, executive director of the 2018 National Defense Strategy Review Commission, executive director of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, and director of Iraq programs. He helped facilitate the 2006 Iraq Study Group co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton.

With an expertise is post-conflict peace and stability, military, and humanitarian assistance, he holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colorado State University and two master’s degrees in military arts and sciences.