Veterans Day events

To honor Western New York's finest, a number of Veterans Day events are planned.

Town of Niagara

Ceremony set for Veterans Heights Park

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Town of Niagara Lions and Lioness Clubs will once again honor this nation's veterans with a ceremony at Veterans Heights Park in the Town of Niagara (at the intersection of Lawson and Bellreng drives). The ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. and will include a color guard and flag ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 841 from St. John de LaSalle Church.

Niagara Falls High School student Joe Pasquantino will perform the star spangled banner and taps with his trumpet.

There will be wreath presentations by the Lions, Lioness and the American Legion Fredrick F. Cadille Post No. 1664.

The Rev. Ron Maines of the Forestview Church of God will offer opening and closing prayers. The guest speaker will be 914th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Brian Bowman.

All veterans attending the ceremony will be proudly presented an American flag lapel pin and flag from cadets and senior Girl Scouts from Troop 70165 of the Elks Lodge. The Girl Scouts will also sing "God Bless America."

The Lions, along with the Fredrick F. Cadille Post, will be collecting any American flags that are in disrepair for proper disposal.

Following the ceremony, the Lioness will serve warm beverages and pastries at the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Center, 2748 Military Road.

Everyone is invited to join in honoring veterans. For more information, call Lion Angelo Onevelo at 716-628-0244.

Wheatfield

Ceremony and meal hosted by American Legion

The American Legion Wheatfield Post No. 1451 will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11.

All are welcome to attend the ceremony at the Wheatfield Veterans Memorial near the town highway garage on Ward Road.

In the case of bad weather, the service will take place indoors at the Legion Post at 6525 Ward Road, Sanborn.

Following the services, an American flag retirement ceremony will be conducted at the Legion Post.

Anyone with a flag they wish to properly dispose of can bring it to the Legion Post anytime before the event.

Chowder, hot dogs, hamburgers and desserts will be served at the Legion Post and chowder will be available in take-home containers.

For more information, call 716-731-4712.

Lew-Port, Youngstown

Veterans Day events will take place across the Lewiston-Porter Central School District on Thursday, Nov. 10.

The Lewiston-Porter Historical Society of the Lewiston-Porter School District will host its annual Veterans Day dinner in the high school cafeteria. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. A basket auction and door prizes will also be featured.

Veterans are invited to attend at no cost. They are welcome to bring one guest at no charge. Additional guests will be charged $5.

For reservations or more information, call the high school's main office at 286-7263.

The district is closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony in Youngstown's Veterans Park takes place at 11 a.m. Friday. A reception will follow the ceremony at VFW Post 313 on Third Street.

Youngstown

Active military, veterans and families admitted free at Old Fort Niagara

On Friday, Nov. 11, Old Fort Niagara will welcome active military personnel, veterans and their families with free admission in appreciation for their service to this country. These visitors need only to present their military ID at the admissions desk.

The fort will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (admissions end at 4:30 p.m.).

North Tonawanda

Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony

A Veterans Day breakfast will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the North Tonawanda Senior Center at 110 Goundry St. The event, sponsored by the North Tonawanda mayor's office, and the Department of Youth, Recreation and Parks, is a part of a morning of events for area veterans. This breakfast is free for veterans. There will be a $5 fee for guests payable at the door. Pre-registration is required. Following breakfast, a Veterans Day ceremony will take place on the Renaissance Bridge at 11 a.m. 

Grand Island

VFW to host open house

The Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9249 has extended an invitation to the veterans and the community for an open house on Friday, Nov. 11.

The event will begin immediately following the Veterans Day ceremony and will offer free lunch and dinner.

"Veterans, family and friends, please come and join us in camaraderie and share our appreciation to those who have and are serving our great nation," said Christian Eshelman, post commander.

The DeGlopper VFW Post is located at 2121 Grand Island Blvd. across from Tops Express.