County Veterans Day events pay tribute to area service members

Beaufort County has a long and proud heritage of honoring those who have served our country with patriotic tributes on Veterans Day. Again this year the sounds of marching bands, jet flyovers and even silence will echo from the rolling waves to the swaying pines.

Here's a list of local holiday events:

BEAUFORT

Beaufort's annual Veterans Day Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Beaufort. The event, organized by the Beaufort County Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Day Planning Committee, will follow the city of Beaufort downtown parade route.

The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at Beaufort National Cemetery.

Details: 843-470-4740

BEAUFORT COUNTY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS

There will be a Veterans Day Concert and Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Battery Creek High School's John J. McVey Performing Arts Center in Beaufort. The event is sponsored by Battery Creek, Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island high schools. The Parris Island Marines Corps Band will perform. A presentation will highlight Beaufort County high school graduates, faculty and staff members who have served or are serving in the armed forces.

Details: 843-322-5580

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Hilton Head Island's annual Veterans Day Observance will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial in Shelter Cove Community Park. The event is sponsored by the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Military Coalition of Hilton Head Island. Keynote speaker will be Col. John Snider, base commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Also at the event will be the Hilton Head Choral Society, Hilton Head Island High School Navy Junior ROTC unit, Marine Corps Rifle Squad and a F-18A Hornet flyover. There will be lunch at Palmetto Dunes for $20; reservations are required.

Details: 843-837-3553

SUN CITY HILTON HEAD

The Sun City Veterans Day celebration is dedicated to Vietnam War era veterans. The event, organized by the Sun City Veterans Association, begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of Magnolia Hall in Sun City Hilton Head.

The Sun City Singers will perform and members of the SCVA will march. The National Anthem will be sung by retired 1st Sgt. James Gilliard. Navy Chaplain Lt. Jennifer Dolder of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will give the invocation. Keynote speaker will be retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Stearns, son of SCVA members Ellis and Vonnie Sterns. There will be a military jet flyover and a moment of silence.

Details: Tom Schneck, 843-705-4736; www.suncityhhvets.com

ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY EVENTS

• Hampton Hall and Dolphin Head golf clubs invite all active duty, disabled and retired military members of all branches for a round of golf with complimentary greens fees from Monday to Nov.13. Military or veterans service identification will be required, and reservations are necessary.

Details: Hampton Hall, 843-815-8720; Dolphin Head, 843-681-5550, ext. 227

• MCAS Beaufort Federal Credit Union and Highway 21 Drive-In will sponsor a free Movie Night on Wednesday to celebrate Veterans Day and honor local retired and active duty military. Show times are 6 and 8 p.m. for "The Way We Get By," a heartwarming documentary that follows the lives of three individuals who volunteer their time as a way to show their appreciation to the men and women actively fighting around the world today. A preview of the movie can be seen at www.thewaywegetbymovie.com.

Details: 843-846-2266