Fredericksburg, TX – The National Museum of the Pacific War invites the public to its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST in the Museum’s Memorial Courtyard. This special event honors the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces and recognizes their courage, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to freedom.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Brigadier General Kevin Jarrard, Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division. General Jarrard was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from The Citadel in 1995 and has served across Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His distinguished career includes leadership roles such as Commanding Officer of 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, Deputy Chief of Staff at Marine Forces South, and Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Marine Division. A U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne School graduate, General Jarrard holds degrees in history, education, and national security studies.
Veterans Day Commemoration
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Memorial Courtyard, National Museum of the Pacific War
Admission: Free and open to the public
For more information, visit: https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/event/veterans-day-commemoration-2
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About the Speaker
Brigadier General John K. Jarrard
Commanding General
4th Marine Division
Brigadier General Kevin Jarrard was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from The Citadel in 1995. An infantry officer, he has served in various command and staff billets in the United States and abroad in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded 3d Force Reconnaissance Company and Security Cooperation Team – Jordan. After promotion to Colonel, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff at Marine Forces South and subsequently commanded a Marine Advisor Company with a second command tour as the Senior Advisor to the Marine Corps Reserve Artillery Regiment. As a General Officer, he served as the Assistant Division Commander of 1st Marine Division and Deputy Commanding General, II MEF (Mobilization), and Commander Task Force 61.2, U.S. Sixth Fleet.
In addition to earning undergraduate degrees in history and education, Brigadier General Jarrard completed two graduate degrees, one in National Security Studies from the U.S. Army War College and the other in Education from the University of North Georgia. His military training includes U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne schools and a variety of specialized infantry, reconnaissance, and anti-terrorism courses.
Brigadier General Jarrard assumed duties as the Commanding General of 4th Marine Division in May of 2024.
About the Admiral Nimitz Foundation
The Admiral Nimitz Foundation was established in 1971 as a 501(c)(3) Texas Corporation to provide additional development funding for the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Museum, a museum honoring Fredericksburg’s native son and Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area. The sole purpose of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation is to raise funds for the National Museum of the Pacific War and to manage its operation.
About the National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW), founded in 1967, is the only institution in the continental United States dedicated exclusively to telling the story of the Pacific and Asiatic Theaters in World War II. The Museum annually welcomes more than 120,000 visitors, including at least 15,000 students from across the state. The museum sits on six acres in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas featuring three galleries with more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space, 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. The Museum is a Texas Historical Commission Property, managed and supported by The Admiral Nimitz Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, visit http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Smithsonian Affiliations
Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to share Smithsonian collections, build collaborative networks, and engage learners of all ages with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at www.affiliations.si.edu.
