Veterans from across all military branches and their families gathered on Monday morning at the auditorium of the National World War I Museum & Memorial in Kansas City to mark Veterans Day with a ceremony that emphatically celebrated the alliance between the United States and Australia.

The event opened with the singing of both the American and Australian national anthems, setting the tone for a programme centred on the longstanding partnership between the two nations.

The keynote address was delivered by Rear Admiral Ian Murray, Defence Attaché of Australia, who drew on four decades of service to highlight shared battlefields in which American and Australian troops fought side by side.

“I really respect the veterans that have come before, those who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in service of their country and those that serve today,” he said.

“We also remember the families as well who have been left behind.

So it’s just a really poignant occasion, one that I really value and honour being involved in here in Kansas City.”

City-level leaders participated in the programme, emphasising how the ceremony underscores the depth and durability of the US-Australia alliance.

The institution hosting the event offered free admission to veterans and active-duty military through Tuesday, and half-price entry for other guests, in recognition of their service and the day’s significance.

The National World War I Museum & Memorial tailored its Veterans Day weekend schedule to reaffirm the link between veteran commemoration and the remembrance of the First World War.

The visitor promotion is part of an ongoing effort by the museum to provide accessible experiences to those who served and to the general public alike.

By placing the Australia-United States partnership at the forefront, the ceremony reflected more than a commemoration of past sacrifices—it pointed to an enduring alliance that continues to shape shared security, values and memories across the Pacific and beyond.