Veterans Day events

Veterans Day

Applebee's, all locations. Veterans eat for free. Show proof of service and choose from a six-item menu. (An item that the Star Tribune published on page B7 Sunday erroneously reported that guests should call local Applebee's restaurants to make reservations for this offer. Applebee's restaurants don't take reservations.) 

Minnesota Veterans Home, 5101 Minnehaha Av. S., Minneapolis. A program for veterans, families and friends will be held at 2 p.m. in the Building 15 auditorium. The guest speaker is Maj. Gen. Joe Kelly, Minnesota National Guard. Free and open to the public. Call 612-721-0620 for more information.

St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 35th and Irving Av. S., Minneapolis. At 11 a.m., American Legion Hellenic Post 129 will dedicate a bronze plaque in memory of the 63 founders of the post in 1919. The event will include a flag-raising and a bugler.

Downtowner Car Wash, 520 E. 7th St., St. Paul. Inform the greeter and veterans will receive a free, full-service car wash. www.downtownercarwash.com, 651-222-7045.

Veterans Services Building, 20 W. 12th St., St. Paul. Veterans for Peace will conduct a bell-ringing service honoring Armistice Day. Gather at the First Shot Memorial just west of the service building on the State Capitol approach at 10:30 a.m. for a brief reading followed by the 11 bells ceremony at 11 a.m., asking for full veterans benefit support and commemorating the original Armistice Day. For more information, call 612-821-9141.

Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Av., Inver Grove Heights. This official state celebration begins with a buffet breakfast from 8 to 9:45 a.m. A program begins at 10 a.m. with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner Michael Pugliese, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito and Minnesota Commanders Task Force Chairman Al Holton. For more information, visit www.mdva.state.mn.us/events/veteransday2009 or call 651-296-2562.

Chaska Middle School West, 140 Engler Blvd., Chaska. At 7:30 a.m., School District 112 will celebrate with a ceremony that includes a flag-raising and music. Veterans and their families are invited to attend along with the public. Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau will be the speaker. Call 952-556-7400 for more information.

Excelsior Elementary School, 441 Oak St. (Hwys. 7 & 19), Excelsior. Fourth-graders will honor veterans with music and poetry. Guest speakers include Navy veterans and a member of the Minnesota Patriot Guard. The event starts at 9 a.m. in the auditorium.

Norwood Central High School, 531 Morse St., Norwood Young America. School program in the gym will begin at 10 a.m., featuring the high school band and grades 1-12 choir performances. Free and open to the public, the event is sponsored by VFW Post 1783 and American Legion Post 343. Call 952-467-7100 for more information.

The Chester Bird American Legion Post 523, Hwy. 100 & Glenwood Av., Golden Valley. Candlelight service at 7 p.m. Call 763-377-4252 for more information.

Veterans Memorial Park, Hwy. 3 S., near Woodley St., Northfield. The VFW and American Legion program begins at 11 a.m. For more information, call Tom Simota at 651-336-7515 or visit www.northfieldveterans.org

VFW Post 4046, 1201 E. 3rd Av., Shakopee. Veterans Day service at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The public is welcome. Call 952-445-7912 for more information.

American Legion Post 189, 10 N. 8th St., Farmington. The American Legion and VFW Post 7662 invite the public to enjoy an "Appreciation Breakfast" from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by a program from 10 to 11 a.m. $6 for civilians, veterans eat free. Call 651-460-9909.

Gideon Pond Elementary School, 613 E. 130th St., Burnsville. Program at 9 a.m. in the gym. First-grade students will perform patriotic songs. Call 952-707-3000 for more information.

Parker Elementary School, 500 School St., Elk River. Parker and Lincoln students and staff will gather at the flagpole at 9:30 a.m. The Elk River Honor Guard will be present. Colors will be presented and taps played. The ceremony will move indoors to the auditorium for a short program. All veterans and the public are invited. Call 763-241-3500 for more information.

St. John in the Wilderness Cemetery, White Bear Av. and South Shore Blvd., White Bear Lake. The public is invited to attend a 2 p.m. service and dedication of a new marker to honor all of the branches of the military. The service will include music, a color guard and a three-volley salute. www.stjohnwilderness.org.

Vietnam Memorial, Minnesota State Capitol grounds, near John Ireland Blvd. SSG John K. Weber Chapter XV, 173rd ABN BDE Association will host a ceremony at 11 a.m., including music, speakers, color guard and rifle volleys.

SATURDAY

Apple Valley Legion Club, 14521 Granada Dr., Apple Valley. Holiday meat raffles start at noon, and bingo starts at 4 p.m. All proceeds support scholarships, the community, youth and veterans programs.

CHRISTINE O'CONNOR