Virtual Events
We are connecting and supporting Veterans and non-Veterans alike through our recorded virtual programming. Explore our past events below.
December Rally Point – Remembering Pearl Harbor: 80 Years Later
December 2021
Eighty years ago on December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan executed a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor drawing the United States into World War II. We hear from the experiences of three Pearl Harbor survivors during what President Roosevelt described as, “A date which will live in infamy,” and one of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history.
November Rally Point – John Glenn: A Veteran First
November 2021
We headed to The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs to honor U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Astronaut, Senator and Museum visionary, John Glenn. On what would have been his 100th Birthday, we speak with Trevor Brown, Dean of the John Glenn College.
October Rally Point – “American Veteran,” an Upcoming PBS Series
October 2021
We hosted a discussion including GBH producer Amanda Pollack and Cody Ayon, a Navy and Army Veteran from the film, to learn about the documentary that explores Veterans’ inspiration to serve and their eventual transition from service member to civilian.
September Rally Point – Reflections on 9/11 and the 20-Year War
September 2021
As we approach the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, U.S. Army Rangers Dan Blakely and Tom Amenta, along with photographer Beau Simmons, will discuss with us their highly anticipated book, “The Twenty-Year War.” Through the book, they share the experiences and stories of 71 Veterans who were involved in the Global War on Terror.
August Rally Point – Trauma and Treatment: Caring for our Combat Wounded
August 2021
When our service members are wounded in combat, they rely on trauma teams to stabilize them enough to endure transcontinental flights back to the U.S. for intensive care. Join us to hear stories from some of our Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Healing Power of Yoga
June 2021
As a part of PTSD Awareness Month, Veteran and Gold Star Spouse Jennifer Ballou hosts a hybrid yoga session at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. This program includes a brief introduction and a 45-minute Restorative Flow yoga class, followed by closing remarks on how yoga and mindfulness tie into physical wellness and mental health.
June Rally Point: Working Together to End Veteran Suicide
June 2021
Our June 5 Rally Point featured Magnus Johnson, a U.S. Army Veteran and former Green Beret, and Co-Founder of Mission 22, whose mission is to support the Veteran community with three main programs: Veteran treatment programs, memorials and community social impact. In addition, leaders in innovative treatments for suicide and trauma for military personnel, Veterans and first responders will join the conversation.
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony
May 2021
Featuring special messages and remarks from J. R. Martinez, a U.S. Army Veteran, burn survivor, actor and author, NVMM President and CEO, Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired), and Gold Star Spouse, Brittnay McCall.
On the Red Carpet with Beyond the Call
May 2021
The premiere of Tracie Hunter’s World War II documentary, “A Rendezvous with Destiny” featuring 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Veterans: Dan McBride, Jim “Pee Wee” Martin (G/506) and Dick Klein. Her film is based on the book, “Three of the Last Screaming Eagles,” by Jos Groen.
Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil
May 2021
Memorial Day is about honoring our service members who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. The National Veterans Memorial and Museum held a Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil on Friday, May 28 to honor families who have lost a loved one in service to our country.
Military Appreciation Month: Honoring Military Spouses
May 2021
In honor of National Military Appreciation Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we celebrate the commitment and selfless contributions of the women and men who support their families, our military, and our country. We are immensely grateful for all military spouses – their achievements, sacrifices and their patriotism help to build and shape the communities in which we live today.
May Virtual Rally Point: Transforming Veterans through Agriculture
May 2021
May’s Rally Point features discussions with U.S. Air Force Veteran Richard Murphy, Director of Veterans to Farmers, and U.S. Army Veteran Jon Jackson, Executive Director of STAG VETS and Founder of Comfort Farms. Both organizations share similar goals — to aid Veterans in their transition from their military service to civilian life with agriculture.
Veterans Voices: Operation Eagle Claw
April 2021
Operation Eagle Claw is one of the most influential missions that shaped how the military conducts operations even to this day. Learn more from our expert panel about this historic rescue mission; all that went right and all that went wrong. Joining us is Major General David L. Grange, U.S. Army (Retired), Lieutenant Colonel Lewis H. Burruss, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), and the Godfather of Special Operations Communications, Chief Warrant Officer Four Paul Zeisman, U.S. Army (Retired).
April Rally Point: NCOs Backbone of the Army
April 2021
For our April Virtual Rally Point, we explore the role of the noncommissioned officers (NCOs), also known as “The Backbone of the Army” with Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hall, U.S. Army (Retired). The core responsibilities NCOs in the U.S. military are to successfully accomplish the mission and maintain the welfare of their soldiers. They strive to remain technically and tactically proficient as well as provide outstanding leadership.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day Commemoration
March 2021
We commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day with our special guest speaker, Col. Thomas Moe, U.S. Air Force (Retired), Vietnam Veteran and prisoner of war. Our president and CEO, Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired,) will kick off the event and set the stage for Col. Moe to share his amazing story of service, honor and bravery.
March Rally Point: GallantFew VetXpo
March 2021
For our March Rally Point, we partnered with Tony Mayne, director of GallantFew, Inc., whose mission is to facilitate the transition of our service members back to civilian lives with purpose. This program features VetXpo, a two-hour virtual event from GallantFew, designed to enhance Veteran’s functional fitness in five domains – professional, social, physical, emotional and spiritual.
Veterans Voices: Kirstie Ennis’ Mission to Serve
March 2021
In honor of Women’s History Month, we welcome an inspiring person and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Kirstie Ennis.
Veterans Voices: 30th Anniversary of Desert Storm
February 2021
We welcome Gen. Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army (Retired) to share his insights on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. and Coalition victory in Operation Desert Storm. Powell oversaw the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq in 1990–1991.
February Rally Point – Fighting to Serve: A Conversation with a Tuskegee Airman
February 2021
We welcomed Col. Harold Brown (Retired), one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, for our February Virtual Rally Point. Col. Brown will share his experience as a member of the Red Tailed Angels escorting bombers over Europe as well as being shot down and held as a POW in Germany.
December Rally Point: The Healing Power of Art
December 2020
For our December Rally Point, we explore how art programs facilitate mental wellness, increase social connectedness, and become an outlet for creative expression. Our guests include Mary Whyte, world renowned watercolor artist and founder of the Patriot Art Foundation, and Heather Seymour, MSW, LISW, Veterans Arts Initiative founder at the Columbus VA.
Legacies of Leadership: What Veterans Day Means to Veteran Families
November 2020
Col. Donna Whittaker, U.S. Army (Ret) joined our President and CEO, Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Ret) for a conversation about the legacies of service they celebrate in their own families as well as part of the communities in Columbus, Ohio and The Villages, Florida. Understand more about what selfless service means to multi-generational military families on Veterans Day and beyond, and how the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is a leader in honoring and amplifying those voices and stories year-round.
Veterans Day Ceremony
November 2020
On Veterans Day, we honor the nearly 40 million Americans we have served our nation bravely. Hear special messages and remarks from Montel Williams, television host and U.S. Marine and Navy Veteran; Bruce Thorn, U.S. Army Veteran and President and CEO of Big Lots, Inc.; and our President and CEO, Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired). A special thanks to our proud Veterans Day Sponsors, Nationwide, CAS and USAA who are helping us share and celebrate the stories of our nation’s Veterans!
Veterans Voices: U.S. Beirut Intervention
October 2020
On October 23, 1983, two truck bombs struck buildings in Beirut, Lebanon, housing American service members. The attack killed 220 Marines, 18 sailors and 3 soldiers, making this incident the deadliest single-day death toll for the U.S. Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States Armed Forces since the first day of the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. We explore the U.S. Beirut Intervention and its impact with Major General James Lariviere, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired).
October Rally Point: How Bob Evans Supports Veterans
October 2020
Ciare James, Vice President of Marketing, Bob Evans Foods and Nancy Preston, the most recent winner of Bob Evans’ Heroes to CEOs contest, joined us for October Virtual Rally Point, Our Farm Salutes: How Bob Evans Supports Veterans.
Veterans Voices: Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne
September 2020
Veterans Voices with Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne, U.S. Army Ranger. In the almost 19 years of combat since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 only 25 Medals of Honor have been awarded. SGM Payne is the first service member awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
September Rally Point: Trailblazers in Leadership
September 2020
Featuring Lt. Gen. (Retired) Nadja West, the 44th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. Not only is West a physician, but she was the first black female active-duty major general, the first black female major general in Army Medicine and the first Army black female lieutenant general. Learn more about navigating COVID-19, and inspirational leadership.
75th Anniversary of V-J Day
September 2020
We commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory over Japan Day and pay tribute to the 16 million Americans who served during World War II. Our special guests include World War II Veterans Dan McBride, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army; David Greene, 5th Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps; and Emmy Award Winning World War II Documentary filmmaker and Founder and President of Beyond The Call, Tracie Hunter.
August Rally Point: Veteran Owned Businesses
August 2020
August Virtual Rally Point: Lessons for Aspiring Vetrepreneurs features Capt. Joshua Peyton, U.S. Army (Retired) and President and CEO of the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA). Learn more about how he started his business and lessons learned along the way.
Korea: 70 Years Later
June 2020
Korea: 70 Years Later shares the legacy of the conflict featuring General Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Army (Retired) and former commander of United States Forces Korea, United Nations Command, and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command.
June Rally Point: Navigating the Current Job Market
June 2020
June Virtual Rally Point: Navigating the Current Job Market shares job seeking and professional development tips from experts Senior Director of Events and Programs for the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Foundation, Colonel Adam Rocke, US Army, (Ret.) and Major General Paulette Risher, US Army Reserves, (Ret.), CEO of Still Serving Veterans.
May Rally Point: Maintaining Health in Difficult Circumstances
May 2020
May Virtual Rally Point: Maintaining Health in Difficult Circumstances shares ways to keep mind and body strong featuring experts Matthew “Doc” Campbell, a Whole Health Field Implementation Team Consultant for VA Region 4 and Navy Corpsman Veteran, and Dr. Theresa Larson, DPT, CSCS, SFMA, and US Marine Corps Veteran who is one of the fitness world’s most sought after experts on movement health.
Navigating Life’s Battlefields
April 2020
“Navigating Life’s Battlefields” features Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor recipient Maj. Joshua Mantz, U.S. Army (Retired).
Resilience in Times of Stress
April 2020
“Resilience in Times of Stress” features Gold Star spouse and life coach, Master Sgt. Jennifer R. (Loredo) Ballou, U.S. Army (Retired).
