Norah O’Donnell’s Veterans Day Schedule
Monday, Nov. 8: Old Glory Relay
O’Donnell checks in on the Old Glory Relay, an event from Team Red, White & Blue—a group that aims to bring community to service members as they transition from active duty to being veterans. The relay involves nearly 5,000 veterans and supporters who are walking the American flag from the 9-11 Memorial in New York City to Atlanta by Veterans Day (a 62-day trek). Secretary of Veterans Affairs DenisMcDonough carried the flag when it was in Washington, D.C. On Monday, correspondent JanetShamlian checks in on the relay as it passes through Murfreesboro, Tennessee (about 45 minutes away from Nashville).
Tuesday, Nov. 9: Sound OFF: Saving One Veteran at a Time
Legendary Navy SEAL BillMulder died by suicide in 2017. One fellow warrior has written that Mulder “saved American lives,” but the stigma of asking for mental health help contributed to his death. Like so many veterans, the first months of retirement can compound depression. In fact, 17 veterans a day take their own lives. O’Donnell features Mulder’s widow, Sydney, who is now spearheading an app called Sound-OFF. It allows vets in trouble to anonymously seek help, something Sydney thinks could have saved her husband’s life. Sydney and her brother—a retired CIA officer who is helping her with the app—will talk about the program designed to bring down the number of suicides and support veterans in need.
Wednesday, Nov. 10: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
For the first time in 100 years, the public can lay flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. It’s a rare opportunity for the public to walk next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a privilege only given to the sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” O’Donnell will be at the tomb laying flowers and will interview a 96-year-old veteran from Battle of the Bulge about why it’s so important to honor our vets and our fallen.
Thursday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day: Operation Double Eagle
Operation Double Eagle helps veterans start a career on—wait for it—the golf course! The nine-week-long program at Augusta Tech teaches veterans about golf course management and landscaping. They spend the mornings in the classroom and the afternoons on a par 3 between the 14th green and 15th tee box using the skills they’ve learned. O’Donnell interviews instructors and participants in the program and plays a few holes of golf with one of the veterans.
Friday, Nov. 12: On the Road
A woman spent two years trying to track down the rightful owners of military uniforms she found in a dumpster. Correspondent SteveHartman was there as she surprised the family of the soldier they belonged to.
