About 75 people attended a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, outside the Baker County Courthouse.

An agreement to end World War I came on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Initially called Armistice Day, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day by Congress in 1954 to recognize the patriotism, service and sacrifices of all veterans.

Area schools, cities, clubs and businesses are thanking veterans with special ceremonies and events. Here is a glimpse of activities taking place around Eastern Oregon. Admission is free and held on Veterans Day — Saturday, Nov. 11 — unless otherwise noted:

Baker City

• At 11 a.m., the community is welcome to gather for a ceremony at the Baker County Courthouse, 1995 Third St.

• Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave., invites veterans for refreshments on Saturday, Nov. 11, and a talk by guest speaker John Sword of Everlasting Tree at 1 p.m.

• Community Connection of Baker County, 2810 Cedar St., will have a veterans lunch on Monday, Nov. 13. Lunch is free for veterans, and there will be door prizes and veterans will be invited to talk about their service.

Enterprise

• Veterans will be treated to a free lunch on Friday, Nov. 10, at the Wallowa Senior Center and Enterprise Senior Center. All other guests will pay the suggested donation of $4 for age 60 and older, or $14 for 59 and younger.

• The Enterprise Elks Lodge, 211 W. North St., will have a Veterans Day dinner on Saturday, Nov. 11. The meal is free for veterans and spouses, or $15 for others. Happy hour begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m.

• The Eagle Cap VFW Hall Post 4307, 800 N. River St., will have Veterans Day breakfast Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 a.m. Veterans eat free.

Echo

Veterans will be honored Thursday, Nov. 9 during a pair of events organized by the Echo School District. A parade escorted by first responders starts at 10 a.m. in front of the school, 600 Gerone St., and will loop around to Main Street and back. People are encouraged to stand or park along the parade route.

Veterans and their families are invited to an assembly at 1 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. It will feature several songs, a recitation of poems, a guest speaker and a special salute to veterans in attendance.

To recognize honored guests, veterans are asked to arrive early and provide their name and military information. Cake will be served afterward. (541-376-8436, rsmith@echosd5.org).

Helix

The inaugural Veterans Day Concert is being presented by the Helix School District music program. The free community event is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. in the gymnasium, 106 Main St.

It features an evening of patriotic music — including “Armed Forces on Parade” — poetry and a salute to veterans. The special guest is Sgt. 1st Class Stephan Friel. For questions, call 541-457-2175.

Hermiston

The city of Hermiston is hosting the annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 10, 8 a.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The doors open at 7:30 a.m.

All veterans, active duty service members and their families are invited to attend. There is no admission charge. Breakfast is provided by The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill.

Send photos for the veteran’s slideshow to kschwirse@hermiston.or.us. Include the person’s first and last name. RSVP via 541-667-5018 or rebrand.ly/n8i9av2.

Imbler

A veterans assembly is happening Thursday, Nov. 9, with an 8:15 a.m. breakfast in the Imbler Elementary School cafeteria followed by an assembly at 9 a.m. in Imbler High School’s gym where students will perform a couple of songs. Local veterans will be honored. Both events are open to the public.

Irrigon

Local veterans are invited to a Veterans Day assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 9:50 a.m. at Irrigon Junior/Senior High School, 315 SE Wyoming Ave. All veterans and their families are welcome. (541-922-5551, ijshsasb@morrowsd.org).

Island City

Island City Elementary School, 10201 W. Fourth St., will have its annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1:30 p.m. Veterans are welcome.

John Day

• Veterans and their spouses will be treated to free lunch at the John Day Senior Center, 142 NE Dayton St., on Thursday, Nov. 9, at noon. To reserve a seat, call 541-620-3800.

• Chauncy’s Barber Shop will offer free haircuts and raffle items for veterans all day on Friday, Nov. 10.

• A Veterans Day ceremony with a gun salute and taps ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the John Day Elks Lodge, 140 NE Dayton St., with the John Day and Prairie City American Legion posts. Soup and sandwiches are available after the ceremony.

La Grande

• Eastern Oregon University will honor veterans on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at 11:50 a.m. with ROTC students marching from the Quad to the flagpole, in the cul-de-sac on K Ave. ROTC students will perform the flag-raising ceremony. Students, staff, faculty, and the community are invited.

• The annual La Grande Veterans Day parade, sponsored by American Legion Post 43, will start this year at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. The lineup for the parade begins at 10 a.m. on Washington Avenue behind Globe Furniture, 1520 Adams Ave. The parade will run west on Adams Avenue to Fourth Street. Following the parade, a spaghetti lunch will be served at the American Legion Post, 301 Fir St. The lunch will be free for veterans. It will be served by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #43.

Long Creek

Veterans can order a free meal at The Chuckwagon in Long Creek Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10-12, all day, for any menu item. This is funded by Grant County Veterans Services.

Milton-Freewater

Coordinated by Milton-Freewater Elks Lodge No. 2146, the annual Veterans Day parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 on Main Street.

Afterward, all veterans are invited to enjoy a chili feed brunch at no charge at the Elks Lodge, 611 N. Main St. Others are asked to donate for the cost of the meal. For questions, call 541-938-3633.

Mission

Wildhorse Resort & Casino invites all veterans and military personnel to enjoy a free Veterans Day meal on Saturday, Nov. 11. Food, up to $18, can be ordered at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, located off Interstate 84 Exit 216.

In addition, meals are available at Hamley & Company, 30 SE Court Ave., or The Grill at Birch Creek, 69772 Highway 395, Pendleton. Present military identification or proof of service for the complimentary meal.

For dining locations, options and menus, visit www.wildhorseresort.com/dining. For questions, call 800-654-9453.

Pendleton

• The Associated Student Government of Blue Mountain Community College is hosting a Veterans Day Breakfast. It is Thursday, Nov. 9, 8-10 a.m. in Pioneer Hall, 2411 NW Carden Ave.

All area military veterans, current service members and their families are invited to attend. Also, BMCC students and staff are welcome. (541-278-5861, www.facebook.com/gobmcc).

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Let’er Buck Post No. 922 will lead the annual Veterans Day service at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel. It is Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Garden, 131 SE Byers Ave.

It features stones with the names of all Umatilla County veterans who died in action. Current military personnel and all area veterans are encouraged to attend. Coffee and donuts will be served after the service. (541-276-1221).

Pilot RockLocal veterans will be honored by the Pilot Rock School District. Veterans, their families and/or caretakers are invited for breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. in the high school cafeteria, 101 NE Cherry St. After the meal, veterans will be ushered through the Aisle of Honor at 9:45 a.m.

All community members are invited to the Veterans Day Program, which begins at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium. For information, call 541-443-2671.

Prairie City

A Veterans Day dinner for veterans and a guest will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. at the community center near the park in Prairie City. The evening features several presentations, including a senior project of filming veterans around the county.

Umatilla

The Veterans Suicide Awareness Run/Walk is Saturday, Nov. 18. Organized by the Pacific Northwest Veterans Alliance, registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race (5K and 1-mile routes) starts at 9 a.m. at Umatilla Marina Park, 1710 Quincy Ave.

Proceeds will help support veterans and their families in Morrow, Umatilla, and Union counties. Pre-register ($25) via rebrand.ly/tbgzcdp. For questions, contact 541-701-8006 or pnwveteransalliance@gmail.com.

For more information about the nonprofit organization, visit www.pnwveteransalliance.org or search Facebook via bit.ly/3QkQvuy.