Veterans' Day events slated around the Valley

Thursday marks Veterans' Day, and the Valley is once again the location for several events to honor America's veterans. The biggest event of the day is the Veterans' Day Remembrance at the Veterans' Wall of Honor, located next to the Mat-Su Visitor's Center at the intersection of Trunk Road and the Parks Highway. Each year, the ceremony is attended by several hundred Valley residents.

This year's event begins at 11 a.m., with a host of guest speakers scheduled to attend. It is one of the largest ceremonies held in Alaska each year, and people from outside of the Valley often attend. There is a wreath-laying ceremony held in conjunction with the day's events.

The festivities begin in the morning, as Palmer Junior Middle School is hosting a special ceremony, with several guests scheduled to attend at 8 a.m. for a special event, organizers said.

Immediately following the Veterans' Wall of Honor event, Mat-Su College is hosting a special American flag display. From noon to 4 p.m. in the Mat-Su College Art Gallery (room 200 in the Fred and Sara Machetanz Building) on Nov. 11, the display will be open to the public. There will be a display on the evolution of the American flag from early 1700 to the present, which is on loan from the Army National Guard. A flag-folding ceremony is being conducted by the Army National Guard and Boy Scout Troop 35. While the display is only open on Nov. 11, it will be open by appointment only for special groups through Nov. 15.

The Veterans' Day remembrance extends to the evening this year. For the first time, the Valley Pastors Prayer Network is hosting a salute to veterans on Nov. 11. The group is hosting the event at 7 p.m. Thursday at Wasilla Assembly of God.

"They hosted a pastor's appreciation breakfast for us, the veterans did, and I guess that's how the idea sort of began," pastor Stan Tucker said. "We wanted to recognize the veterans, and it seemed like a good idea." Lt. Gov. Loren Leman will speak at the event, Tucker said.