Freedom Honor Flight Ends Veterans Breakfast
The nonprofit has discontinued its Veterans Day Breakfast at UW-La Crosse after 13 years, while the university shifts its observance to Saturday's football game.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you think local Veterans Day events in your area are getting better or worse?
Freedom Honor Flight announced Thursday that it has discontinued the Veterans Day Breakfast it hosted with the UW-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics Department. The free breakfast, held in UWL's Mitchell Hall and served by student athletes from the university's 21 intercollegiate teams, had run for the past 13 years.
Why it matters
The change ends a long-running free community event for veterans and their families in La Crosse. UWL is redirecting its Veterans Day recognition to a public football game, altering how local veterans can take part in the observance.
The breakfast ran for 13 years and was staffed by student athletes from UWL's 21 intercollegiate athletic teams. The Saturday observance includes a three-volley salute before kickoff.
The players
Freedom Honor Flight
Freedom Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization that transports veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
UW-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics
UW-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics is the athletic department of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, which fields 21 varsity teams.
The details
Freedom Honor Flight issued the announcement in a release, and the breakfast was free to all veterans and their families. UWL will hold its annual Veterans Day celebration at the Eagles' football game against UW-River Falls on Saturday, with taps played before kickoff and the Screaming Eagles Marching Band performing the Armed Forces Medley at halftime.
Timeline
Thursday (week of November 5, 2026): Freedom Honor Flight announces discontinuation of the breakfast.
Saturday (November 7, 2026): UWL holds its Veterans Day celebration at the football game against UW-River Falls.
Season Trajectory
UWL's move folds its Veterans Day recognition into a regular-season home football game, a common pattern for universities tying civic observances to athletic calendars. The change keeps the observance on the schedule while relocating it from a standalone event to a public gameday setting.
Veterans with military ID receive a free ticket to Saturday's game, available online or at the ticket window. Attendees will see the three-volley salute and moment of silence before kickoff.
The takeaway
Veterans and families who relied on the breakfast can now honor the day at the Saturday football game, where free tickets are available to those with military ID.
What happens next
UWL's Veterans Day celebration takes place at the Eagles' football game against UW-River Falls on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the Eagles' schedule, see Football coverage on the site.
Live Poll
Do you think local Veterans Day events in your area are getting better or worse?
