The Sequim and Port Angeles communities look to honor the service of all U.S. military veterans with a number of community events this week and next, leading up to the officially recognized holiday on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Dinner at Elks Lodge

The Sequim Elks Lodge No. 2642 invites all United States Armed Forces Veterans to enjoy a dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 143 Port Williams Road.

All veterans eat free of charge. Spouses and friends are invited to attend and will be served by donation only.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for socializing. There will be a short program at 5:30 p.m. with a guest speaker to honor veterans, followed by a spaghetti dinner complete with garlic toast, salad and deserts.

Proceeds go to the Elks’ Veterans Benefit Fund to help local veterans.

Call Charlie Johnson at 605-520-3384 for more information.

Ceremony set at U.S. Coast Guard station

The Clallam County Veterans Association is sponsoring the 2018 Veterans Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles. The association is hosting a coffee and cookie social immediately following the ceremony at 2 p.m.

Because of enhanced security requirements visitors must arrive by motor vehicle and should arrive early to allow for delays at the gate. All visitors must present valid, government issued identification for entry, Washington state driver’s licenses will be accepted for the ceremony.

The ceremony will be held inside the hangar, but the doors will remain open so attendees should dress for the weather. For more information, call 360-417-5840.

All veteran organizational flags to be displayed at the event need to be delivered to the Clallam County Veterans Center at 216 S. Francis St., Port Angeles, on Thursday, Nov. 8 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Organizational flags will be delivered to the Coast Guard and can be picked up immediately following the ceremony; no flags will be accepted at the gate of the base (call Tammy Sullenger at 360-477-5120 for more information).

Sequim schools honor veterans

The Sequim School District hosts ceremonies for Veteran’s Day, including:

• 8:20-9:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9 — at Sequim Middle School, 301 W. Hendrickson Road (360-582-3500)

• 9-10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Greywolf Elementary School, 171 Carlsborg Road (360-582-3300)

• 1-1:35 p.m. (kindergarten-2nd grade) and 2-2:23 p.m. (third-fifth grade), Friday, Nov. 9, at Helen Haller Elementary School, 350 W. Fir St. (360-582-3200)

See www.sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3260 for more information.

Veterans open house set

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1024 will celebrate its 88th anniversary from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Clallam County Veterans Center, 215 S. Francis St. Veterans and their families are invited for cake, coffee, punch and balloons. For more information, call Laurel Lomax at 360-457-0238.

Honoring Shields

The public is invited to an honor ceremony for Petty Officer Marvin G. Shields at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest holds the annual event at the Gardiner Cemetery, 137 Gardiner Cemetery Road.

General parking for this event is available at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, with ADA parking at the cemetery.

This year’s guest speaker is retired Rear Adm. Lou Cariello. The Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Oak Harbor High School will provide the colors detachment, sailors from Naval Base Kitsap will provide the gun salute.

Shields continues to be the only Seabee to have been awarded the Medal of Honor and the first sailor killed in Vietnam to have been awarded the Medal of Honor, according to a news release.

Coat drive for veterans

A new and gently used coat drive is set at Over the Fence, 112 E. Washington St., with donations going to the Voices for Veterans organization. The kickoff is from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.

Sweaters for Veterans

Through Friday, Nov. 9, Drennan & Ford Funeral Home and Crematory is collecting new or gently used sweaters, warm clothing, blankets, rain gear, gloves, hats, socks and the like to be distributed to individual veterans in Clallam County in need of these items, as part of its ninth-annual Sweaters for Veterans initiative.

Donate items at Drennan & Ford Funeral Home and Crematory between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 260 Monroe Road, Port Angeles. For more information, contact funeral director/co-owner Steve Ford at 360-457-1210 or steve@drennanford.com, or see www.drennanford.com.

National Parks offer free day

Recreation and outdoor enthusiasts have two more opportunities to visit Washington’s state parks for free in 2018 — including on Veteran’s Day Sunday, Nov. 11. The parks are also closed the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 23). On these free days, day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass for vehicle access.

Veterans eat free

Applebee’s restaurants throughout Washington state and Idaho — including Sequim (130 River Road) — invite all veterans and active-duty military to visit their local restaurants on Veterans Day to enjoy a complimentary full-size entree.

Sequim’s Taco Time (110 River Road) celebrates all veterans and current service members with a free meal as well: Each military veteran is eligible for one free combo meal (must show proof of military service).