Local Veterans Day observances

Veterans Day Parade this weekend in Toledo

The fourth annual Lewis County Veterans Day Parade is set to take place this coming Saturday in Toledo and all members of the local community are invited to attend.

Scheduled to start at noon, the parade will travel down Augustus St. and end at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Kemp Olson Memorial Park. A special presentation after the parade will take place at the Wall of Honor, including an invocation and messages from area veterans.

Prior to Saturday, a coronation ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Lewis County Fire District 2 Fire Hall (150 N 2nd St., in Toledo) during which time Miss Liberty 2014-2015 will be crowned.

For more information, including how to volunteer, go to www.lewiscountyveteransparade.com, or contact event organizer April Pennington at (360) 266-7237 or aprilfarey1@gmail.com.

American Legion to engage local students

American Legion Post 101, based in Winlock, will be taking part in multiple presentations to local students to increase their awareness of the contributions of military veterans.

On Friday, they will be presenting at Winlock High School/Middle School at 8:30 a.m., then Winlock Miller Elementary School at 10 a.m.

They will again present on Monday at Toledo High School at 8:45 p.m., then Toledo Middle School at 1 p.m.

The Legion will also be participating in the Lewis County Veterans Day Parade in Toledo on Saturday, followed by a special program at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Kemp Olson Memorial Park.

All of these events are free and open to the public, and the community is invited to come show their support. For additional information on Post 101 activities, contact Commander Wendy Carolan at (360) 785-0929.

LDS Church to honor veterans at Chehalis ceremony

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be holding a special ceremony for area veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Chehalis, and area residents are invited to come and help recognize the service and sacrifices of our military veterans.

Scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the church's Cultural Hall on 2195 Jackson Hwy, this year's theme is "The Greatest Generation," and special thanks will be given to those who served during WWII.

The program will feature music by The Tenino High School Band under the direction of Andrew Bowerly. Guest bagpiper Chuck Nugent will add a touch of the nostalgic with his bagpipe renditions of music familiar to military veterans. Soloist Sharon Johnson will also share her extraordinary vocal talents to honor the veterans.

Guest speaker for the event will be Kenneth Smith, President of the Centralia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 17 will perform as the Honor Guard for the evening. The "Final Roll Call," identifying those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, will conclude the event.

Admission to the Veteran's Day Celebration 2014 is free. Refreshments will be served. Bring a Veteran and come recognize the service to our nation that members of the various branches of the Armed Forces make including the ultimate sacrifice for those who do not make it back to their loved ones.