Veterans Day events happening around Valley

CASEY RESSLER\Frontiersman Valley Life editor

Veterans Day takes place Friday, several events are being held around the Valley in conjunction with the holiday.

The observances actually start Thursday afternoon, when Palmer Jr. Middle School will host a 1 p.m. ceremony at the school, to honor veterans.

On Friday, the largest Veterans Day event in the Valley takes place at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor, located beside the Mat-Su Visitors Center at the intersection of Trunk Road and the Parks Highway.

Each year, hundreds of people gather to pay tribute to those who have served our country in times of war. There will be numerous guest speakers at the wall, as well as a ceremony in which wreaths are laid by community groups at the base of the wall.

There will also be a remembrance at the Byers Lake veterans memorial, at 11 a.m.

Veterans organizations around the Valley are also hosting special events. Here's a quick rundown of happenings:

American Legion Post 15 (Palmer) - Open house starting at 2 p.m.

American Legion Post 35 (Wasilla) - Open house following the Veterans Wall of Honor. Also, a bus will be leaving the post at 8 a.m. to go to the Veterans Memorial at Byers Lake. Anyone wanting to go should be at the post prior to 8 a.m.

VFW Post 3836 (Wasilla) - Open house starting at 1 p.m.

VFW Post 2509 (Palmer) - Information not available at press time.

VFW Post 3836 (Talkeetna) - The Talkeetna post is hosting a ceremony at 11 a.m., followed by a special luncheon at the center. The public is invited to attend.

AMVETS Post 9 - Following the Veterans Wall of Honor ceremony, AMVETS is hosting a potluck luncheon and open house.