Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is the anniversary of the end of World War I.
Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11, is a federal holiday honoring all those veterans who have served in the nation's armed forces. A national ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Locally, veterans groups across the Merrimack Valley will remember war veterans with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and special services, beginning today.
Here's some of the events taking place:
TODAY
Andover: Appreciation luncheon at noon in Old Town Hall on Main Street, hosted by the veterans service office. The free luncheon is for Andover veterans only, however, tickets are required as space is limited. Tickets available at the veterans office.
SATURDAY
Lawrence: Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at South Lawrence East School, 165 Crawford St. A light meal will follow.
Methuen: Dedication of a new veterans monument in St. Anthony's Cemetery off Route 113 in Methuen at 2 p.m. A celebration and Mass follows at St. Anthony's Maronite Church, 170 Lawrence St., Lawrence, concluding a yearlong project to remember the contributions of the church's war veterans. At 5 p.m., the Wall of Honor will be displayed in the parish hall.
North Andover: A Support the Troops care package drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Market Basket in the North Andover Mall, Route 114. Items collected will be used to stuff Christmas stockings for troops in Iraq. Items needed are: salsa, Pop Tarts, granola bars, cookie packs, AA penlight batteries, hard candy and gum, beef jerky and Slim Jims, oatmeal variety packs, powdered drink mixes, mixed nuts, cough drops, hand sanitizer, energy drinks, Kraft cheese in a can and pudding snacks. Sponsors are the Merrimack Valley Military Families Support Group and the Veterans North East Outreach Center.
TUESDAY
Merrimac: Veterans luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center on East Main Street. Roger Clark, commander of the American Legion Stanley F. Wood Post, is guest speaker. The event is open to Merrimac seniors and a guest.
North Andover: Franklin School hosts its annual Veterans Day breakfast at 7 a.m. in the cafeteria. All North Andover veterans welcome. Students may attend with a relative. To RSVP, call Jean McAloon, 978-794-1990.
WEDNESDAY
Amesbury: Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 187, forms at 9:30 a.m. at the fire station on School Street, stepping off at 10 a.m. and proceeding to Huntington Square and on Main Street to the middle school for a ceremony. Guest speaker will be Nancy Moore, widow of Korean War veteran Thomas Moore. Mayor Thatcher Kezer III and Veterans Service Agent Kristen LaRue will make brief comments. Tribute will include a rifle volley by VFW Post 2016. If it rains, events will be in City Hall on Friend Street. At 2 p.m., a service will be at the Maplewood Care and Rehabilitation Center, 6 Morrill Place. The Rev. Jack German of Holy Family Parish will lead a prayer and the names of those who served will be read aloud. James Martino, the new administrator at Maplewood and a veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan Cleary will provide entertainment.
Andover: Ceremonies at West Parish Cemetery at 10 a.m.; Spring Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m.; and Ballardvale Green at noon, where copies of the book "Heroes Among Us" will be given to the veterans spotlighted in it. A luncheon at the Masonic Temple, 7 High St., follows at 1 p.m.
Boxford: Ceremony, hosted by The James Melvin American Legion Post, at the James Melvin Green in East Boxford at 10:30 a.m. Veteran John Murphy will speak.
North Andover: Parade steps off at 10:15 a.m. at First and Main streets and follows Main Street to Patriots Memorial Park for a ceremony. The high-school band and Clan McPherson will perform, along with color guards from VFW Post 2104, and the Police and Fire departments. A reception follows at the VFW on Park Street. Events sponsored by VFW Post 2104.
Haverhill: Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the VFW, 64 Kenoza Ave. to Monument Square, following Main Street to City Hall to the Global Peace Monument at Main Street and Ginty Boulevard for a ceremony. American Legion official John Kazarosian will serve as master of ceremonies and deliver remarks along with veterans services officer Michael Ingham and Mayor James Fiorentini. A luncheon follows at 1314 Main St., the post home of the American Legion Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4, which is hosting the parade.
Methuen: Parade steps off at 10 a.m. from the American Legion Post, 200 Broadway. Route follows Broadway to Hampshire and Lowell streets, passing by the fire station to Grove Street, ending at Walnut Grove Cemetery for a service by the post. Parade re-forms and returns to post home. All veterans or active duty military personnel may participate. At noon, the VFW conducts a service at Elmwood Cemetery on North Lowell Street. At 1 p.m., a raffle at the VFW on River Street will raise money to help maintain the flags on the parade route. Raffle tickets available at the VFW.
Middleton: Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the veterans memorials in front of Flint Memorial Library. Local clergy from St. Agnes Catholic Church and Middleton Congregational Church will participate. American Legion Post 227 hosts the event, and post commander Dennis Dimaio is guest speaker. A luncheon follows at the American Legion Post, 69 River St.
