Several area organizations, businesses and communities will be offering Veterans Day services and programs this weekend and on Wednesday. They include:
n The Charleston Gold Dome Lions Club will celebrate on Wednesday at three events
The 2015 Veterans Day Parade, conducted by the American Legion, at 10 a.m. Line-up is 9 a.m. A ceremony will follow the parade at 11 a.m. near Haddad Riverfront Park.
Dedication of the "Rosie the Riveter Memorial Bridge" sign, 2 p.m. at Horace Mann Middle School. The club will introduce Rosies and guests and give a brief history of the Rosies and the sign's creation.
Tulips sent from the Netherlands Embassy to honor Rosie the Riveters will be planted. The celebration will follow the sign dedication at Horace Mann Middle School. After dedication of the tulips, the ceremony will conclude outside where tulips from the Netherlands will be planted by students near the front of the school.
For information about the parade, contact Ed Converse at 304-545-4057 or post20wv@aol.com. For information about the Rosies, contact Anne Montague at 304-776-4743, 304-545-9818 or thanksplainandsimple@earthlink.net, or visit www.thanksplainandsimple.org. For information about the Charleston Gold Dome Lions Club, contact Darrell Jennings at 304-395-0173 or djlionking1949@gmail.com.
n Marshall music to honor veterans with free concert
Marshall University's School of Music and Theatre will honor U.S. military veterans with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Smith Recital Hall on the Huntington campus. The concert, which will feature music of the early big bands and other 20th century jazz music by the Jazz I performers at Marshall, will be free and open to the public. Donations to the music program will be accepted.
To learn more about the music program at Marshall, visit www.marshall.edu/music.
n Ripley honors veterans with daylong activities
Ripley has a full day of activities scheduled on Veterans Day. The sixth annual Veterans Day Parade will begin near Ripley High School at 10 a.m. The parade will feature the Military Honor March, as volunteers carry poster-sized photographs of more than 200 veterans dating back as far as the Civil War. New this year is a float by the Old Hickory Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The parade will conclude at the Jackson County Courthouse Square for an 11 a.m. ceremony. Ken Skeen, a Ripley attorney who served three tours in Vietnam, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Activities will resume at 1 p.m. in the historic Alpine Theatre with Eleanor Roosevelt portrayed by Patty Cooper of Parkersburg. The presentation is part of the West Virginia Humanities Council's History Alive! program.
At 2 p.m., the theater will have a free showing of John Wayne's WWII classic "The Sands of Iwo Jima." Also at 2 p.m., a veterans tribute is scheduled at the Ripley Walmart.
For information, contact the Ripley CVB at 304-514-2609 or VisitRipleyWV.com.
n Golden Corral offers free meal and beverages for veterans
Golden Corral will thank thousands of active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel for their service with a free dinner buffet and beverage, while raising donations for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). At all of its restaurants nationwide, Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with beverage from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday to any person who is serving or has served in a United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves.
n IHOP offers veterans free pancakes
IHOP restaurants will honor veterans and current armed forces members offering them a free stack of red, white and blue pancakes - buttermilk pancakes crowned with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping - from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Veterans and active duty military must show proof of military service to receive their free pancakes.
n Sheetz celebrates Veterans Day with free meal
Sheetz convenience stores are showing their gratitude for veterans and active duty military personnel on Wednesday Day with a free 6-inch turkey sub, regular size fountain drink and a carwash at all Sheetz location. Veterans must present their military ID or proof of service.