Communities throughout Wood County will come together in November to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, with Veterans Day parades, school programs, and special ceremonies planned in several area towns.

With Veterans Day falling on Wednesday, Nov. 11, this year’s observances will provide opportunities for residents, students, and families to recognize local veterans and show appreciation for their service and sacrifice. Activities throughout the county will begin the weekend before the holiday.

MINEOLA

Mineola will kick off its Veterans Day celebrations Saturday, Nov. 7, with its annual Veterans Day Parade along Broad Street (U.S. Highway 80) in downtown Mineola. The parade will begin at 11:11 a.m. under this year’s theme, “Saluting the Nation.” The event will honor the men and women who have served the nation, as well as those who continue to serve.

Mineola students will have two opportunities to honor veterans this year. First-grade students from Mineola Primary School will participate in a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, 9-10 a.m. in the Mineola High School gymnasium, recognizing local veterans for their service and sacrifice.

The school will also host an evening program Monday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Mineola Primary School, giving families and community members another opportunity to join students in honoring those who have served.

ALBA

Alba residents will gather Saturday, Nov. 7, for a Veterans Day Parade beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. at the Alba Community Center. Following the parade, the local 4-H program will host a Quilts of Valor ceremony honoring veterans. This year marks the first time the Quilts of Valor ceremony will be held following Alba’s parade. Organizers expressed appreciation to the 4-H program for helping make the additional tribute possible. Alba-Golden ISD will also honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a Veterans Day breakfast and program. Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. in the secondary school library, with students helping serve the veterans. A special program will follow at approximately 8:45 a.m.

HAWKINS

Hawkins Elementary School will host a Veterans Day program Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. in the school gym. The program will feature fourth-grade students, along with the school band and choir, in a tribute honoring veterans. Students also have the opportunity to recognize family members who have served or are currently serving in the military by creating posters honoring them. Posters are due November 9. Families and friends are invited to attend the program.

QUITMAN

Quitman High School Student Council will host a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. Veterans and community members are invited to attend the program. A lunch will be provided for veterans following the ceremony. Veterans planning to attend the luncheon were asked to RSVP by Nov. 2.

WINNSBORO

Winnsboro ISD will honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, with its Raider Rally for Our Heroes at Winnsboro High School Raider Stadium. The celebration is scheduled from 9:10-10:20 a.m., with veterans asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. Veterans will have reserved seating on the football field and may participate in the celebration in several ways, including riding in a golf cart during a parade around the track or walking in the parade. Lunch will be provided for veterans in the high school cafeteria following the celebration. Winnsboro ISD has invited veterans from Winnsboro and surrounding communities, along with area residents, to join in honoring those who have served.

YANTIS

Yantis ISD will host its annual Veterans Day Assembly Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. in the high school gym. The program is open to the public, and students from across the district, from elementary through high school, will participate in honoring local veterans. The assembly will feature a guest speaker and special tributes recognizing the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Before the assembly, Yantis ISD will host a free breakfast for veterans at 9 a.m. in the culinary room at the high school. Veterans are invited to We are all just walking each other home. 109 N Main Quitman, TX (903) 841-4116 attend the breakfast before joining students and community members for the annual assembly. Whether attending a parade, participating in a school program or simply taking time to thank a veteran, residents are encouraged    and women who have served the nation, as well as those who continue to serve. Mineola students will have two opportunities to honor veterans this year. First-grade students from Mineola Primary School will participate in a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, 9-10 a.m. in the Mineola High School gymnasium, recognizing local veterans for their service and sacrifice. The school will also host an evening program Monday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Mineola Primary School, giving families and community members another opportunity to join students in honoring those who have served. ALBA Alba residents will gather Saturday, Nov. 7, for a Veterans Day Parade beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. at the Alba Community Center. Following the parade, the local 4-H program will host a Quilts of Valor ceremony honoring veterans. This year marks the first time the Quilts of Valor ceremony will be held following Alba’s parade. Organizers expressed appreciation to the 4-H program for helping make the additional tribute possible. Alba-Golden ISD will also honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a Veterans Day breakfast and program. Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. in the secondary school library, with students helping serve the veterans. A special program will follow at approximately 8:45 a.m. HAWKINS Hawkins Elementary School will host a Veterans Day program Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. in the school gym. The program will feature fourth-grade students, along with the school band and choir, in a tribute honoring veterans. Students also have the opportunity to recognize family members who have served or are currently serving in the military by creating posters honoring them. Posters are due November 9. Families and friends are invited to attend the program. QUITMAN Quitman High School Student Council will host a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. Veterans and community members are invited to attend the program. A lunch will be provided for veterans following the ceremony. Veterans planning to attend the luncheon were asked to RSVP by Nov. 2. WINNSBORO Winnsboro ISD will honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, with its Raider Rally for Our Heroes at Winnsboro High School Raider Stadium. The celebration is scheduled from 9:10-10:20 a.m., with veterans asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. Veterans will have reserved seating on the football field and may participate in the celebration in several ways, including riding in a golf cart during a parade around the track or walking in the parade. Lunch will be provided for veterans in the high school cafeteria following the celebration. Winnsboro ISD has invited veterans from Winnsboro and surrounding communities, along with area residents, to join in honoring those who have served. YANTIS Yantis ISD will host its annual Veterans Day Assembly Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. in the high school gym. The program is open to the public, and students from across the district, from elementary through high school, will participate in honoring local veterans. The assembly will feature a guest speaker and special tributes recognizing the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Before the assembly, Yantis ISD will host a free breakfast for veterans at 9 a.m. in the culinary room at the high school. Veterans are invited to We are all just walking each other home. 109 N Main Quitman, TX (903) 841-4116 attend the breakfast before joining students and community members for the annual assembly. Whether attending a parade, participating in a school program or simply taking time to thank a veteran, residents are encouraged to take part in honoring those who have served.