Pay tribute to veterans and active military by attending a local Veteran's Day event

Several events in the area will be held in honor of Veterans Day this week.

• Lest We Forget will present a free patriotic concert in recognition of Veterans Day. This community celebration will honor veterans and their families with the Southshore Concert Band performing a free concert at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center, 1100 Yore Ave., Benton Harbor. The theme for the concert is "Proud to be an American." Prior to the concert, Lest We Forget will honor all veterans by taking their photo starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 1:45 p.m. Photos will be mailed. Additionally, a tribute will be paid to Lest We Forget members who have died by showing their photographs during the singing of "The Mansions of the Lord."

• To commemorate Veterans Day, The History Museum is offering a free tour of St. Joseph Polish Roman Catholic Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 6. The tour is open to all ages and will visit grave sites and markers of local veterans. Participants should meet at the cemetery, located at the intersection of Pinewood Drive and Grant Road in South Bend. This tour requires walking over uneven ground and will not take place in case of inclement weather. No pets. Parking is limited. For more information, visit www.historymuseumsb.org or call 574-235-9664.

• From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8, Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart, 220 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, will recognize and honor its Veteran students, alumni, and prospective students with an informational resource fair. Partners participating in the fair include: Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Operation: Quiet Comfort, South Bend Vet Center, St. Joseph County Veterans Treatment Court, Stop 22 Michiana, Team Red, White & Blue, U.S. Army Reserves and WorkOne. For more information, contact Wendy Railing at wrailing@ivytech.edu or 574-289-7001, ext. 025339. The fair will take place in Room 121.

• The American Legion Post 357 Auxiliary welcomes all veterans to its annual Veterans Day Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10. The Legion is located at 5414 W. Sample St., South Bend. For more information, call 574-234-5073.

• Tri-Military ROTC Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Clarke Memorial Fountain on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Keynote speaker will be CMSgt (Ret.) Richard M. Scully, aircraft maintenance superintendent of the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Grissom ARB, Indiana. If inclement weather, the event will be moved to Carey Auditorium in Hesburgh Library.

• "Profiles in Service" will chronicle the stories of Elkhart County residents who have served in the major conflicts of United States history. This program will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula St., Bristol. There is no charge for this event.

• The Military Honor Park and Museum, 4300 Terminal Drive, South Bend, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 with free admission for veterans.

• As part of the Patriotic Program Series, Ruthmere will observe Veterans Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Each visitor will receive a free miniature American flag with their tour. In addition, all veterans will be admitted to both the Havilah Beardsley House and Ruthmere for free. Tours start on the hour with the last tour starting at 3 p.m. Reservations are welcome, but not required. To make a reservation, call 574-264-0330. Ruthmere is located at 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart.

• Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart, will celebrate Veterans Day by giving free admission to active and retired military on Nov. 11. The gardens are open from noon to 5 p.m. General admission is $10-$5.

• Plymouth High School will present a Veterans Day Breakfast and Program on Nov. 11. The breakfast will start at 7:30 a.m. with the ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. All members of the community who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are invited. The school is located at #1 Big Red Drive in Plymouth. Handicap parking is available at door 6 and general parking is at door 5.

• The Algonquin Chapter St. Joe/Benton Harbor of the Daughters of the American Revolution will have a wreath laying ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the World War I Monument on the Bluff in St. Joseph.

• Visit Sport Clips Haircuts of Mishawaka at 113 E. University Drive, Granger, on Nov. 11 and Sports Clips will donate $2 for every haircut service that day to the Help a Hero Scholarship program. Also all veterans and active duty service members will receive a free haircut. Please present valid proof of service. Sports Clips is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 11.

• In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum will offer free admission to all veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Forces as well as their families. The museums are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center of Northern Indiana Inc. will hold a flag raising ceremony featuring Miller's Veterans Color Guard and Elkhart High School musicians at noon Nov. 11. The Elkhart High School Junior ROTC will also participate. Veterans will be recognized, the national anthem will be sung, the pledge of allegiance recited, and taps will be played. All are invited to participate. The ceremony will be held at the outdoor flagpole in front of OSMC at 2310 California Road, Elkhart (next to Elkhart High School).

• All veterans and active military can enjoy a free ultimate wash at Mike's Carwash locations from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 11. This is a $20 value.

• The American Legion Post 357 Auxiliary will host the Michiana Male Chorus in a patriotic musical salute to veterans from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 11. The concert is free although donations will be accepted. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cash bar available. The Legion is located at 5414 W. Sample St., South Bend.

• All active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free November 11-14. Up to three children, 13 years of age and younger, may ride free with each military personnel/veteran on off-peak weekday and all weekend trains. Notify train personnel as they walk through the train. On Nov. 11, trains will follow the regular weekday train schedule. For more information on train schedules, visit mysouthshoreline.com.

• All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas, and off-road state recreation areas on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Notify the gate attendant whether you are a veteran or serving on active duty.

• The first annual True Top 1% Military Exhibition will take place at Union Station and Four Winds Field on West South Street in South Bend. The community is invited out to see military vehicles and a military helicopter for interactive display; historic military collectibles on loan from private collectors and the Studebaker National Museum; military and local business/crafter vendors; artwork for a silent auction; face painters and a character artist; recruiters from all branches and more. There will be food trucks, axe throwing and a smash room. Vendors will thank all active-duty military and veterans by providing free coupons and discounts to their products and services. All military and veterans should check-in at Union Station. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 13. Admission is free.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend, Michiana area Veterans Day celebrations and events