A special tribute to Korean War veterans is planned at the Clallam County Veterans Association Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, one of several gatherings to thank veterans for their service scheduled on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles will host the ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the hangar on base at the end of Ediz Hook.
The front gate will open to the public at 9:30 a.m. Parking is limited and ride sharing is strongly recommended.
Performances will include the Port Angeles High School Band, the Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus, Grand Olympics Chorus of Sweet Adeline’s International and Don Alward on bagpipes.
Ceremony participants also will include the Coast Guard Group Port Angeles Color Guard and the Marine Corps League Honor Guard rendering a 21-gun salute.
The high school band will perform pre-ceremony music from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, members of VFW Post 1024 Auxiliary will host a barbecue at the Veterans Building on Third and Francis streets in Port Angeles.
This is the 13th year that the Port Angeles Coast Guard base has been designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Regional Veterans Day Observance Site.
Port Ludlow
Also at 11 a.m. Tuesday will be the Port Ludlow Veterans Association’s ceremony at the Bay Club, 120 Spinnaker Place, Port Ludlow.
Lt. Col. William Hittinger, commanding officer for Marine Corps Security Force Battalion at Naval Base Bangor, will be the guest speaker.
The commanding officers of Naval Magazine Indian Island and the Coast Guard Force Protection Unit Bangor also will attend.
Light refreshments will precede the observance at 10 a.m.
Mark Pearson of the Brothers Four will lead the program by singing the National Anthem.
Later in the program, he will deliver a musical tribute to all veterans.
Those who have served in the five branches of the armed forces or the merchant marine, those who are currently serving and spouses of those who have served are invited to attend.
Ball caps, flight jackets, medals or ribbons, tartans and the display of other memorabilia are encouraged.
Forks on Monday
In Forks, veterans who belong to the Masonic Lodge will present a flag program on Monday.
The Masons will dress in Revolutionary War uniforms during tribute at 7 p.m. at the Forks High School Commons, 411 S. Spartan Ave.
The tribute is sponsored by the National Sojourners and Marvin G. Shields, Medal of Honor, Camp Heroes of ’76.
Admission will be free, but donations will be accepted.
Fee-free day
The public can visit Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest and other federal recreation sites for free on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day.
The fee-free day honors U.S. veterans, members of the U.S. armed forces and their families.
The free day marks the third year of the new policy.
The administrative fee waiver of recreation-use fees applies annually on Veterans Day at public recreation lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service as well as by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
It applies to day-use fees at Forest Service recreation sites across Washington and Oregon, including many picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads and visitor centers.
But fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions or other permits will not be waived, and concession operations can charge fees unless the permit holder wishes to participate in the free day.
Free meals
The Forks Elks Lodge and Applebee’s in Sequim will feed veterans a free meal this week.
The Elks Club is offering a free chicken dinner at 3 p.m. today at the lodge at 941 Merchant Road.
All veterans, as well as those now on active duty and widows of veterans are invited.
The meal also is open to the public, with a request for a minimal donation. Proceeds will go to the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil, in the Port Orchard area.
Applebee’s invites all veterans and those on active duty to a free meal during business hours on Tuesday.
The Applebee’s in Sequim is at 130 River Road.
Proof of military service will be required.
Proof includes a U.S. Uniform Services identification card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired identification card, DD214, LES, citation or commendation, photograph in uniform or a veterans organization card.
