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A cake honoring veterans at the New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Veterans talk to each other at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Jacob Pflasterer shares stories and songs from each branch of the military at the Veterans Day event at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Veterans and others stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Myra Harper, with Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center and the Harper House, speaks to a group of veterans at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Photos and other items line a table set up at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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A collage of veterans stands at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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The American flag adorned the wall of the New Merkel House at its Veterans Day program on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran during the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army pins a veteran at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry receives a certificate honoring his son, who served in the military, at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Vestavia Hills councilwoman Kimberly Cook receives a certificate honoring her father, a military veteran, at the Veterans Day event at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army presents a certificate to a veteran’s widow at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Major Darren Walker with the U.S. Army presents a certificate honoring a veteran to his widow at the Veterans Day event at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Myra Harper receives a certificate honoring her late husband from U.S. Army Major Darren Walker at the Veterans Day event at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry receives a certificate honoring his late father, who was a military veteran, from U.S. Army Major Darren Walker at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
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U.S. Army Major Darren Walker presents a certificate honoring a military veteran to his widow at the Veterans Day program at New Merkel House on Nov. 9.
Veterans at New Merkel House enjoyed an hour-long program with lunch that followed on Friday, Nov. 9, in honor of Veterans Day.
Veterans in attendance were pinned by Maj. Darren Walker with the U.S. Army, and took part in singing the national anthem, as well as other songs, led by veteran Jacob Pflasterer.
Pflasterer shared short stories of each branch of the military involved in World War II, with each respective branch's song following the story.
Myra Harper with Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center and the Harper House spoke at the event, telling veterans what the group has been able to do. All blind veterans are eligible to come, and the organization helps those whose travel expenses are not covered by the government.
The center is located at the back of the Veterans Administration building in downtown Birmingham, Harper said.
