Veterans Day celebrations kick off with a special tribute to Korean War veterans during a large, public ceremony sponsored by the Clallam County Veterans Association at the Port Angeles Coast Guard station on Ediz Hook at 10:30 a.m. today.
It is one of several gatherings scheduled on the North Olympic Peninsula to thank veterans for their service.
Veterans Day is a state and federal holiday that first marked World War I’s armistice.
Veterans of that war were honored on the anniversary of the war’s end — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
Over the years the holiday changed to celebrate all veterans, and in 1954, its name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
The front gate to the Coast Guard station will open to the public at 9:30 a.m.
It is the 13th year that the Coast Guard has hosted annual Veterans Day ceremonies in the base’s helicopter hangar.
Parking is limited. 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.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, members of VFW Post 1024 Auxiliary will host a luncheon barbecue at the Veterans Building on Third and Francis streets in Port Angeles. The public is invited to attend.
Medal of Honor winner
Navy Seabees and others will recognize Marvin G. Shields, a Navy Seabee Medal of Honor recipient, during ceremonies at 11 a.m. at the Gardiner Cemetery, off U.S. Highway 101, where Shields is buried.
Shields, a Port Townsend High School graduate, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson for gallantry during combat in Vietnam.
(See story today about Shields and the Peninsula’s other Medal of Honor recipients, above this story on the home page.)
Memorial services will be conducted by Seabees of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 of Bangor, under the leadership of Lt. Richard Pocholski, and members of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America.
Members of the Shields family also will attend.
“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.
Because of limited parking, the public is encouraged to park at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, for bus transportation to the cemetery.
Port Townsend ceremony
Port Townsend’s Marvin G. Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26 in Port Townsend hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m.
Colors will be posted, Selena Espinoza will sing the national anthem and the Port Townsend Summer Band will perform. Post Commander Joe Carey will be among the speakers.
A luncheon follows the ceremony.
Post 26 is located at the corner of Water and Monroe streets in downtown Port Townsend.
Port Ludlow ceremony
Also at 11 a.m. 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.
Fee-free day
The public can visit Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest and other federal recreation sites for free today in honor of Veterans Day.
The fee-free day honors veterans, members of the 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 meal in Sequim
Applebee’s restaurant in Sequim invites all veterans and those on active duty to a free entrée during business hours today.
Applebee’s 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.
