Residents will have plenty of options this Veterans Day to attend a ceremony to honor all veterans active and retired.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday, the Lafayette High School Air Force Junior ROTC will conduct its 14th annual Veterans Day Program in the Lafayette High School gymnasium.

Featured keynote speaker will be recently re-elected Congressman Trent Kelly. The school band, choir and the ROTC will perform.

“The event is open to the public and we would like to invite all veterans to attend so we can honor them,” said Maj. Harvey Rice, who oversees the ROTC program.

Those attending are encouraged to be seated by 8:15 a.m.

DAV event

At 10 a.m., the Disabled American Veterans and Marine Corps League will host a Veterans Day program at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford.

“We wanted to spend time visiting with veterans there and show them our appreciation,” said retired Master Sgt. Gene Hays, commandant of the Willie Morris Jones Detachment, Marine Corps League.

Guest speaker will be Ret. Col. Sid McManus, who spent 30 years in the U.S. Army.

VFW event

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 3978 in Oxford, along with the American Legion Post 55, Disabled American Veterans/ DAVA Chapter 48 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart/Auxiliary Chapter 801 will host a community ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. At the National Guard Armory, next to the Oxford Conference Center.

“It is such a blessing to live in a free country where we are allowed this freedom,” said VFW Commander and master of ceremonies Gail Wilson.

The ceremony kicks off with Oxford Middle School Band at 10:30 am, followed by Delores Swann accompanied by Gerald Belvin with patriotic music and songs. The Oxford Police Honor Guard will be presenting and posting the colors and Symiah Bell will sing the national anthem.

Guest speaker will be the highly decorated retired Brig. Gen. James Edwin Mitchell.

VFW Auxiliary President Dyanne McCord will have a table at the entrance of the National Guard Armory for distribution of Buddy Poppies and donation for the Veterans Relief Fund.

 

honoring our veterans

A list of local, national restaurants offering freebies and deals to all veterans on Veterans Day

• IHOP: Free red, white and blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Little Caesars: Free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Applebee’s: Free meal from a special menu and get a $5 coupon that can be redeemed Nov. 12-27.

• Baskin-Robbins: For every ice cream scoop sold in the U.S., the company will donate 11 cents to United Service Organizations.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Free small order of traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries.

• Chili’s: Free meal from a special menu.

• Cracker Barrel: Free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake.

–Information provided by USA Today