Celebrate Veterans Day with variety of events (LISTINGS)

There will be no lack of activities to honor active-duty and retired military members this week in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties. Here is a list of local Veterans Day-related activities:

WEDNESDAY

• Applebee’s restaurants in Crestview, Destin and surrounding areas will serve veterans and active duty military with proof of United States military service a complimentary entrée. Military guests can choose the 7-ounce house sirloin, three-cheese chicken penne, fiesta lime chicken, fire pit bacon burger, chicken tenders platter or oriental chicken salad and receive the traditional sides as well. For more information, go to www.applebees.com
• The Disabled American Veterans Playground Chapter 72 will recognize veterans in a ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and includes a 21-gun salute and flyby by Eglin’s 40 FTS, 46th TW at 11:57 a.m.
• The Niceville Exchange Club and Valparaiso AMVETS Post 78 will host their annual “One Nation under God” Veterans Day Breakfast at 8 a.m. at the AMVETS post at 910 Valastics Ave. This year’s speaker will be Okaloosa County Super-intendent of Schools Alexis Tibbetts. Cost for the breakfast is $3. For more information, contact Carol Mullins-Hernandez at 240-0616 or Paul McShane at 225-0412.
• Santa Rosa County Community/Veterans Coordinating Committee will sponsor the 2009 Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The parade will run from Milton High School to Veterans Plaza at 5178 Willing St.
• The ceremony will follow the parade at 11 a.m. at Santa Rosa County Veterans Memorial Plaza. Col. Chris “Caveman” Holzworth will serve as the parade’s grand marshal and ceremony’s featured speaker.
• Events conclude with a Veterans Day Picnic hosted by Santa Rosa County 4-H at the plaza. For more information, call 626-7292 or 313-6637, or the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce at 623-2339.
• The Carver-Hill Memorial & Historical Society will sponsor its annual Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. at the Carver-Hill Community Center. Col Chuck Cosand will be the featured speaker. Veterans are asked to meet at the Masonic Hall on McDonald Street at 9:30 a.m. and walk to the Community Center. For more information, call George Stakley at 682-3459.
• DeFuniak Springs invites all veterans, local officials and residents to the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Program at 10:15 a.m. at Magnolia Cemetery. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Riemer will be the guest speaker. The event will include a flyover by Eglin Air Force Base jets.
• American Legion Post 382, VFW Post 11367, American Legion Post 378, BPOE Elks of Navarre and VFW Post 4407 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Navarre Park Memorial at 8543 Navarre Parkway, with guest speakers. The placing of boots and helmets in honor of those missing in action will follow guest speakers. The Navarre High School Junior ROTC will present the colors. The organizations then will host open house dinners at the headquarters. For more information, call 723-1118.
• The Wall Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview near the Vietnam Memorial replica. For more information, call 689-1895.
• The Twin Cities Veterans Council will sponsor its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at Doolittle Park on John Sims Parkway in Valparaiso. The Niceville, Valparaiso and Eglin communities will honor veterans from all wars. Speakers will include Valparaiso Mayor Bruce Arnold, Niceville Mayor Pro Tem Bill Smith and Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, commander of Eglin’s Air Armament Center. The ceremony will include a flyover and wreaths will be presented in honor of men and woman who have served. Lawn chairs are recommended. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be at AMVETS Post 78 at 910 Valastics Ave. in Valparaiso.
• Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach will join Fort Walton Beach police and firefighters for a special flag- raising ceremony at noon. Tanya Short, winner of this year’s Emerald Coast Legends talent contest, will sing the national anthem. An honor guard will arrive at 11:45 a.m.
• The Crestview Veterans Day Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Main Street and will feature floats and bands from local high schools and middle schools. For more information, call 689-1895.
• The annual Mary Esther Veterans Day Parade will be at 1 p.m. The procession will begin on Page-Bacon Road, and head south on Mary Esther Boulevard and then west on Hollywood Boulevard before ending at United Artists Theaters at Santa Rosa Mall.
• Belvedere Commons will have a complimentary brunch for all veterans and guests, Wed., Nov. 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., 2000 Principal Lane, Fort Walton Beach. There will be a special blessing by Eglin Air Force Base at 11 a.m. For more information call 243-7735.

NOVEMBER 16

• Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to join us for Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

NOVEMBER 17

• Pace High School will present their 10th Annual Celebration of America, “The Heroes of Our Lives” at 9:45 a.m. The program will be in the school’s gymnasium with a luncheon to follow. The celebration will honor veterans, active-duty military, reservists, first responders and public servants. RSVP by Friday at 995-3600, ext. 1173.