Latino veterans are taking center stage in the nation's capital on Saturday. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino is hosting a free festival honoring generations of Latinos who have served in uniform.

Celebramos a los Veteranos: A Festival of Service and Remembrance runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Molina Family Latino Gallery inside the National Museum of American History. Admission is free with advance registration encouraged.

Stories of service in their own words

Visitors can hear conversations with veterans, active duty troops and military historians. The day also features historic tributes and a temporary display.

A story booth invites veterans to record memories from their time in the service and explain why they chose to serve. Marching bands and patriotic music will fill the hall throughout the day.

250 years of Latino service

The museum frames the event around the nation's 250-year history. Its timeline stretches from Adm. David Glasgow Farragut in the Civil War era to Col. Marisol Chalas, the daughter of Dominican immigrants who became the first Latina Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

Latinos make up close to 9% of all U.S. veterans and roughly 17% of troops serving in 2022. Their share of the veteran population is projected to keep climbing in the decades ahead.

Partners from across the country

The museum organized the festival with the American GI Forum, the American Latino Veterans Association, the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The celebration lands four days before Veterans Day on Wednesday. Organizers hope families will leave with a deeper sense of the sacrifices Latino service members have made for the country.