Local military veterans will be holding services and other observances this week to commemorate Veterans Day.
The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, was created to honor veterans of World War I.
Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended on Nov. 11, 1918 — at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In 1954, Congress passed legislation setting Nov. 11 as a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The largest local Veterans Day observance will be at Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles on Ediz Hook on Wednesday morning.
Vietnam veterans will receive special recognition during this year’s program, held in the helicopter hangar at the base.
Capt. Scott Pollock will welcome the public.
Some 150 people will perform during the program, including the Port Angeles High School Band, directed by Doug Gailey, beginning at 10 a.m.
Guests are asked to be seated by 10:15 a.m.
Because of limited parking at the base, ride-sharing is encouraged.
After the ceremonies, a barbecue is planned at the Clallam County Veterans Center at 216 S. Francis St., in Port Angeles.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans will be served there, with veterans cooking the food.
Admission is free, but donations for the Veterans Center will be accepted.
For more information, phone 360-452-1135.
Free admission
In addition, what better place than the wide-open spaces within Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest or the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the armed services to protect the nation’s freedoms?
In honor of those heroes, all public recreation land managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, federal Bureau of Land Management and federal Bureau of Reclamation will waive entrance fees on Veterans Day.
The waiver applies to day-use fees at recreation sites across Washington and Oregon, including picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads and visitor centers.
The waiver does not apply to camping, cabin rentals and other permits.
Other local Veterans Day observances this week:
All this week
Library display
FORKS — The Forks Library is displaying “The Good Soldiers,” an account of an Army battalion serving during the troop surge in Iraq.
Forks resident Andrew Gillespie was a member of the battalion and is included in the book, which is part of an exhibit at the library at 171 S. Forks Ave.
The library is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, phone 360-374-6402.
Today
Forks vet assembly
FORKS — Forks High School will honor veterans during an assembly.
Today’s eremony will be at 2:35 p.m. in the school commons at 191 S. Spartan Ave.
All veterans are invited.
Appreciation Day
PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College Veterans Club will host a Veterans Appreciation Day at the college campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.
All past or present members of the armed services are welcome, and the wearing of military uniforms is encouraged.
Food and drinks will be served.
Wednesday
Shields honored
GARDINER — Gardiner Community Cemetery’s Veterans Day services will honor Navy Seabee Medal of Honor recipient Marvin G. Shields at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The cemetery is located on Cemetery Road off U.S. Highway 101.
Because of limited on-site parking, the public is asked to park at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, where a bus will provide transportation to the memorial.
Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin G. Shields was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson for gallantry during combat in Vietnam.
Shields was a graduate of Port Townsend High School and lived in Discovery Bay. He is buried at the Gardiner Cemetery.
“The memorial ceremony is intended to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of those who have served in our armed services, and in particular the historic actions of one of our nation’s heroes of the Vietnam War,” said Jerry Landcastle, Northwest District commander of the Seabee Veteran’s organization.
Seabees of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Bangor, will work with members of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America and other Navy Seabees from the area in conducting the memorial.
Members of Shield’s family also will be present.
A lengthy story about Shields and other Medal of Honor winners from Jefferson and Clallam counties will be published in the Peninsula Daily News onWednesday.
Legion observance
PORT TOWNSEND — John Austin, one of the three Jefferson County commissioners, will be the featured speaker at the American Legion Marvin G. Shields Memorial Post 26 Veterans Day observance that begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The post hall is at 209 Monroe St., Port Townsend.
Special service recognition will be given to Marjorie Carpenter, a World War II veteran, and to Emily Anderson, a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Port Townsend.
Preceding the ceremony at 10:30 a.m., the 44-member Port Townsend Summer Band will present a 30-minute concert.
A potluck lunch will be served after the observance.
For more information, phone 360-385-1160.
Veterans observed
PORT LUDLOW — The Port Ludlow Veterans Association will observe Veterans Day at the Beach Club, 121 Marina View Drive, at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Veterans will share stories involving their time in service.
A social hour will follow the event. Veterans, spouses of living or deceased veterans and invited guests will recall and salute those who fought in foreign wars.
For more information, phone Peter Joseph, 360-437-8218.
Free meal for vets
SEQUIM — The Sequim Applebee’s restaurant will give veterans and active duty military personnel a free meal on Veterans Day.
All guests with proof of current or former U.S. military service will have their choice of six entrees.
The Sequim location will be open at 130 River Road from 11 a.m. to midnight on Veterans Day.
Beverages and gratuity are not included in the free meal.
Veterans brunch
PORT HADLOCK — Port Hadlock Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a Veterans Day Brunch and Open House at the VFW Hall, 31 Matheson St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Pancakes, sausage and eggs will be served, along with hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages.
Admission will be by donation.
Songs for vets
PORT TOWNSEND — Songwriting Works will sing songs composed by elders and families honoring World War II veterans at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Blvd., at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at Quimper Sound, 901 Water St., or online at www.brownpapertickets.com.