The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) will be open on Friday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate Independence Day. Visitors are invited to join in a day filled with engaging activities and patriotic spirit.

Throughout the day, NVMM will be handing out American flags to kids and visitors. An educational flag activity will also be available, allowing guests to learn how to make their own miniature flagpole! Visitors can design their personal flag using a notecard and coloring materials, then they can take home instructions and materials to build a working flagpole with a pulley system that lets them raise and lower their own custom flag.

The museum also will be collecting guest testimonials for social media, asking the question, “What does July 4th mean to you?” The NVMM hopes to engage visitors to capture their diverse perspectives and sentiments surrounding America’s 249 th birthday.

In collaboration with its neighbors from COSI, there will be a special “Red, White, & Blue Elephant Toothpaste” launch at 1:30 p.m. on the NVMM Plaza. Elephant Toothpaste is produced by a safe chemical reaction, caused by the introduction of a catalyst. The reaction captures oxygen bubbles and results in a very cool-looking foam eruption, providing a fun and interactive experience for families.

Following the fun on the plaza, visitors have the opportunity for a special July 4 experience at 2 p.m. NVMM President Col. Bill Butler (U.S. Army, Retired) will lead a guided tour, offering his personal insights into the museum’s mission and exhibits. Before coming to the NVMM in 2019, Col. Butler was a senior Department of the Army civilian at U.S. Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy. Prior to that, he was a career Infantry officer and retired from the U.S. Army after 27 years of active-duty service all over the world. During his time in uniform, he had three year-long deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Col. Butler’s experience and perspective make this unique tour opportunity a powerful and meaningful journey that you won’t want to miss.

Join us at NVMM this July 4 to celebrate our nation’s independence and engage in meaningful activities that honor our Veterans and the freedoms they served to protect.