November 15 • 2-4pm

Free admission for veterans, active-duty military, and their families!

Join Museum of Glass for a special Veterans Day Celebration, featuring free admission all day for veterans, active-duty military, and their families. The celebration program will include a color guard ceremony, guest speakers, and the awarding of certificates of completion and commemorative glass coins to honor Hot Shop Heroes program participants.

The Veterans Day Celebration program will take place from 2-4pm in the Grand Hall. Guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Barrientos will speak at 2:30pm about the strong partnership between the Museum of Glass and the local military community, especially through Hot Shop Heroes. Hot Shop Heroes instructors and participants will also share their experiences working in the program.

Tacoma Banjo Club banjo club will perform 1-2pm in the Grand Hall prior to the start of the program.

This Veterans Day event is one of the many ways the Museum demonstrates its commitment by creating a supportive environment where the military community can find both connection and healing through the arts.

About the Speaker

Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Barrientos

Commander, JBLM Soldier Readiness Unit

Lt. Col. Brenda Barrientos assumed command of the Soldier Recovery Unit on Oct. 30, 2024.A native of Houston, Texas, Barrientos is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering management. She also holds a Master of Science degree in technology management from the University of Maryland University College and a Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University. Lt. Col. Barrientos was commissioned into the United States Army as a second lieutenant on May 31, 2008.

After completing the Basic Officer Leader and the Signal Basic Officer Leader courses, Lt. Col. Barrientos was assigned to Alpha Company, Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas. There, she served as a platoon leader and deployed to Iraq in 2009 as the Company Executive Officer. Upon redeployment, she worked as the S-3 for the STB and was part of the unit’s Base Realignment and Closure move to Fort Bliss, Texas.

Lt. Col. Barrientos’ awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (1 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 campaign star), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 campaign star), Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).