There are a variety of area events to honor local veterans this Veterans Day

Veterans Day is celebrated Nov. 11, but a few events either take place before then or require registration by an earlier date. Here's a list of Veterans Day events happening in the area and how to register, when necessary.

• 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. 5 at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. The theme for the concert is "Music of the Cold War Era." 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. Complimentary 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."

• Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home is calling all veterans and a guest to enjoy a breakfast and presentation on Nov. 8 celebrating the men and women who have served in the armed forces. The presentation will also explain how the National Cemetery system was formed and what benefits veterans are entitled to. The breakfast will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home, located at 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart. RSVP by Nov. 5 at 574-293-6411.

• Tri-Military ROTC Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Clarke Memorial Fountain on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. If inclement weather, the event will be moved to DeBartolo Hall, room 101.

• "Profiles in Service" will chronicle the stories of the tremendous efforts taken by Elkhart County residents who have served in the major conflicts of United States history. This program will be from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 at the Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula St., Bristol. There is no charge for this event.

• Plymouth High School will present a Veterans Day Breakfast and Program on Nov. 10. The breakfast will start at 7:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room 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. Enter through Door 5. Additional handicap parking is available at Door 6. This event is hosted by PHS class officers.

• Brandywine Community Schools will hold its annual Veterans Day breakfast on Nov. 10 at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center, 1700 Bell Road, beginning at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the breakfast, Merritt Elementary students will say the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem will be performed by the high school band, the choir will sing, and district staff will be in attendance to speak with and welcome veterans. Veterans who would like to attend the breakfast should RSVP by calling Taylor Biek at 269-684-7150, ext. 4209, or filling out a form at bit.ly/brandywineveterans23 by Nov. 3.

• The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center of Northern Indiana with the Junior ROTC of Elkhart High School will hold a flag raising ceremony featuring Elkhart High School musicians starting at noon, Nov. 10 at the outdoor flagpole in front of the Elkhart OSMC location of the orthopedic practice, 2310 California Road, Elkhart. The Indiana Patriot Guard Riders will post multiple United States flags along the roadside for the event. A few words of recognition and appreciation will be said.

• South Shore Line will offer active duty military personnel and veterans free transportation Nov. 10 through Nov. 13 on all weekday and weekend trains. Up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride free with each military personnel/veteran on off-peak weekday and all weekend trains. For more information, visit mysouthshoreline.com.

• 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. They will also pay tribute to women veterans.

• The American Legion Post 357 Auxiliary will host the Michiana Male Chorus in a patriotic musical salute to veterans at 7 p.m. Nov. 11. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted. The Legion is located at 5414 W. Sample St., South Bend.

• The Michiana Concert Band performs a free Veterans Day Concert at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at VFW Post 360, 1307 E. Jefferson Blvd., Mishawaka.

• The LaPorte County Public Library will host “Veteran’s Day: Conversations and Coffee” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST Nov. 11 in Meeting Room B at 904 Indiana Ave., LaPorte. Celebrate local heroes, listen to their stories, and learn about the LPCPL Digital Local History collection. Drop by anytime. Veterans may visit any LPCPL location on Nov. 11 for a free gift.

• Purdue University Northwest will honor veterans with a celebration breakfast on Nov. 11 in the Dworkin Center at PNW branch campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville. Keynote speaker will be retired State Senator Jim Arnold, who was born and raised in Michigan City. He served four years in the United States Air Force during the Viet Nam war. The event begins with registration at 8:15 a.m., a breakfast buffet at 8:30 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m. (all times are CST). Register at pnw.edu/event/veterans-day-celebration.

• Southwest Michigan Veterans are invited to join BOSS Services’ Veterans Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1300 Cinema Way, Benton Harbor. Enjoy camaraderie with local vets. Free brunch (for veterans + 1 guest per veteran); free haircuts during event; live music by Noah Privett; free swag bags; Veteran Resource Station. RSVP by Nov. 6 at thebossservices.com/boss-services-veterans-appreciation-brunch-2023. Seating is available for 100 veterans + 1 guest only. First come, first serve.

• Military Honor Park and Museum, 4300 Terminal Drive, South Bend (main entrance at South Bend International Airport) will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 with free admission for veterans.

• Hacienda Mexican Restaurants will be honoring all Veterans on Nov. 11 by offering them a free large wet burrito when they dine-in or carryout.

• Mishawaka VFW Post 360 Auxiliary will be having a food drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at Martin's Super Market, 314 N. Ironwood, Mishawaka. The mission is to help our local military heroes during the holidays. If unable to help on Nov. 12, the post will be accepting donations of non-perishable food, monetary and gift cards through Dec. 10 at 1307 E. Jefferson Blvd., Mishawaka. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 2 to 10 p.m. Questions may be directed to Starr Rupchock, 574-258-6056 or Linda Miles, 574-532-6162.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Area events in honor of Veterans Day