Veterans Day events span the week across Grays Harbor

North Beach VFW members adorn Ocean Shores with American Flags

By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

Veterans Day (officially Nov. 11) will be celebrated over several days this week — locally as well as across Grays Harbor — to honor America and especially those who have served.

Early Tuesday morning, several members of North Beach VFW Post No. 8956 were out putting up 100 large U.S. Flags around town, a tradition they practice on every election day. They will do it again on Veterans Day, this Sunday, Nov. 11.

At 2 p.m. Thursday, Ocean Shores Elementary School will have an assembly to honor veterans and recognize this year’s winners of several essay contests sponsored by the local VFW post.

This Saturday evening, the Ocean Shores Elks Lodge, at 199 Ocean Lake Way, will host its annual Veterans Day Dinner and Dance. The Lodge’s Jolly Corks Lounge will open at 4 p.m., with a ceremony at 5 and prime rib dinner served at 5:30. Unexpected Soul will play live with dancing following dinner. The event is free to all veterans and their spouses, all active duty military and their spouses, and all widows and widowers of veterans. All others are $25 each. Seating is limited and reservations should be made by calling the Lodge office at 360-289-2581.

Nancy Oakes, the Lodge’s Exalted Ruler, said the event usually draws 80 to 120 veterans, family and friends and represents “an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our veterans in our own humble way.”

A week later, on Saturday, Nov. 17, the VFW post will hold an open house and membership drive event from 12 to 4 p.m. at the post headquarters, 953 Trent Court. They will offer information on the organization, along with free brats and German potato salad, and beverages for purchase.

Veterans Day festivities

Thursday, Nov. 8

Aberdeen Elks Lodge’s annual Veterans Dinner will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner served at 6 with a choice of chicken cordon bleu or baron of beef. $15 per person/free for veterans. RSVP to 360-532-2211 by Nov. 6.

Saturday, Nov. 10

Hoquiam VFW will have a Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. at the post home, 407 7th St. followed by a hotdogs and salads for lunch.

Sunday, Nov. 11

• Elma VFW Bill Mann Post 1948 and Auxiliary will host a memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Elma Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street.

The Grand Parade is at 1 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Elma. Covered seating will be available at Third and Main, at the Elma Visitors Station.

• Gen. James H. Doolittle VFW Post 3057 will host a guest speaker, live bugle music, doughnuts and coffee at 11 a.m. The post is located at 211 Pacific E. in Westport.

• Hoquiam Elks Lodge will host a Veterans Day prime rib dinner with a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner served at 6. $15 per person/free for veterans.

Monday, Nov. 12

Hoquiam High School band and choir members will present the annual Veterans Day Concert at 2 and 7 p.m at the Seventh Street Theatre. There is no charge but those attending are asked to bring canned food for Food Ball.