For months, Holly Rowan, president of the Clallam County Veterans Association, worked with local veterans groups and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Port Angeles to plan the regional Veterans Day ceremony that has traditionally taken place in the hanger there.

Planning starts in March, Rowan said, because security has to be arranged, and those details take time to work out.

But because of the government shutdown, all that planning for the Tuesday, Nov. 11 event went by the wayside. The air station released a statement saying that “due to the lapse of appropriations for the federal government,” the Coast Guard would be unable to host community relations events, “including the Veterans Day event at Air Station Port Angeles.”

“Given that there are deadlines, it really threw us off,” said Rowan, who works with various veterans organizations in the area. She said that as the government shutdown dragged on, she became concerned about publicizing the ceremony as taking place at the Port Angeles air station only to have to cancel at the last minute, causing confusion for those planning to attend.

Rowan and other organizers were able to line up another location quickly: the auditorium at Port Angeles High School, 304 E. Park Ave.

Rowan figures that while some attendees may be disappointed over missing out on the atmosphere of the Coast Guard hanger, others might like the high school better. It’s heated, while the hanger is not, she said, and the auditorium seats are more comfortable.

The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 10 a.m., with the high school band playing prelude music beginning around 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be from 11 a.m. to noon.

This year’s guest speaker will be Retired Navy Captain and Fleet Marine Force Chaplain Mike Hakanson. Music will be provided by the Port Angeles High School band and choir as well as the Grand Olympic Chorus, Juan de Fuca Harmony and local bagpiper Rick McKenzie.

Parking will be available, with handicap parking and access on the east side of the building.

After the ceremony, complimentary refreshments will be available in the lobby, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Michael Trebert Chapter. Rowan noted that the group always bakes “an unbelievable amount of cookies” for the Veterans Day ceremony.

The women are “incredibly helpful,” she said, and always provide “extra hands for assistance.”

Sequim events

According to Rowan, the Sequim Elks, 143 Port Williams Road, will host a ceremony and dinner to honor veterans on Thursday, Nov. 6.

A social hour will get underway at 4:30 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 5:30 followed by the dinner. It is a public event, and all are welcome.

Veterans eat free. The Sequim Elks will not be checking IDs or verifying service, Rowan said. Guests are requested to make a donation.

The City of Sequim will host Veterans Appreciation Afternoon from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, with free hot dogs given away at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.

The event is to celebrate and thank veterans, active-duty military and their families for their service in recognition of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, according to an announcement from the city. All members of the public are welcome.

Regional Veterans Day Ceremony

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Port Angeles High School

304 E. Park Ave.

11 a.m. to noon (doors open at 10)