Watch CBS News

Honoring Defenders Of Freedom For Veteran's Day

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Today we remember and honor those, dead and alive, who bravely defended the freedoms our nation enjoys.

They've served in combat from World War II to Afghanistan, and all they want to hear is, "thanks."

Just ask 83-year-old World War II veteran Joe Donnelly.

"I had a young lad walk up to me, he must have been 10-years-old, 'Oh, Mr.!' he says and shakes my hand, 'Thank you for serving!' That made me feel good.  I kind of filled up a little bit," said Donnelly. "Think of where you're at today, and think of your blessings that you have because of vets."

"If I had to do it over, I'd do it again. Same thing," he said, adding, " "You see a vet, hug 'em and thank 'em for what he did."

All City of Philadelphia offices will be closed and city services curtailed for Veterans Day. Trash and recyclables will not be collected on Thursday. Streets commissioner Clarena Tolson urges residents, whose normal collection is on Thursday, to set out their rubbish and recycling for collection on Friday. The rest of the regularly scheduled week's collections will be delayed one day.

Municipal Court's Arraignment Court at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St., will be open.

But numerous government offices are closed today:
- City district health centers
- All branch offices of the Department of Licenses and Inspections
- North and Northeast Municipal Service Center
- Marriage License Bureau
- All Department of Recreation facilities
- The Free Library of Philadelphia and all of its branches
- The executive offices of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, as well as its violations branch at 9th and Filbert streets.

Reported by Margie Smith, KYW Newsradio

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.