COMMUNITY

| VETERANS DAY

Local Businesses Honoring Veterans on VETERANS DAY

BY JOHN TEEHAN

The Ringing of the Bells

Who: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 41

What: The VFW Post 41 will again be conducting its annual bell ringing ceremony this Veterans Day to commemorate the signing of the Armistice Treaty in 1918.The bell ringing is scheduled to begin on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In Colorado time, this will be at 4 a.m.

There will be a breakfast held from 6 to 10 a.m. A flyover will occur at 11:11 a.m., after which there will be a parade and a speaker immediately to follow.

For further information and details, you can contact VFH Post 41 at 970-667-4722

Where: 305 N. Cleveland Ave., Loveland 720-684-5500, fwpost41.orgVeterans Day has been observed annually on Nov. 11 since President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially established the holiday in 1954. Since then, Americans all around the nation have commemorated Veterans Day in order to pay tribute to all veterans and former service members.

Veterans Day gives people a chance to formally thank and recognize veterans of the past and active-duty military for their sacrifices. On this day,VFW and American Legion halls hold events remembering what veterans have done for this country, and many companies offer free or significantly reduced meals, drinks, and services as a way of saying “thank you.

Here is just a sample of what is happening locally to honor veterans for what they ’ ve done and sacrificed in the name of protecting democracy in the US and worldwide.

Veterans Day Breakfast

Who: American Legion Forbes-McKay Post 109

What: The American Legion Post 109 hall in Windsor will hold its annual Veterans Day breakfast on Saturday, November 12.The event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Contact the American Legion hall for more information at (970) 686-9966.

Where: 624 Ash St.,Windsor, fmpost109.com

Visit the Wall of Remembrance

Who: Scheels

What: “The Wall represents the Honor, Strength, Courage, Commitment, Loyalty, and Family Vales of America and the price that is paid for our freedom.The names on this Wall come from the Global War on Terror.They are the

The Wall will be open for display in the east Scheels parking lot for viewing 24 hours a day, and staff will be on-site to help visitors find names on the Wall if they wish. On Thursday, November 10, there will be an opening ceremony with honor guard and the Loveland Marine Corp League Detachment.There will be a brief closing ceremony on Sunday, November 13, when the Wall will be taken down to be escorted to the Wyoming state line the next morning.

For more detailed information, visit the Wall of Remembrance Facebook event page at facebook.com/ GWOTwall/

Where: 4755 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Johnstown (970) 663-7800

Smiles For Soldiers

Who: Luker Dental

What: Luker Dental will offer free dental services for veterans and military families on Thursday, November 10. Treatment services include exams, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, root canals, and extractions. Available appointments are limited, so don ’t wait. Please call (970) 351-0400 for more information.

Where: 1829 56th Ave., Suite B, Greeley 720-526-3146, lukerdental.com

A Free Car Wash Is a Breeze

Who: Breeze Thru Car Wash

What: For this year

’ s Veterans Day, Breeze Thru Car Wash will provide all active service personnel and veterans complimentary car washes.Visit any of their 12 sites on Veterans Day to get a free Premium Shine car wash.

Where: breezethrucarwash.com/locations/

At a Nearby Location

This Veterans Day, companies throughout the US are doing their small but appreciated part to commemorate veterans and active military personnel. Here is a very partial list of national chains offering veterans discounts or other benefits. • Applebee’ s • Buffalo Wild Wings • Chick-fil-A • Chili’ s Grill & Bar • Dunkin’ • Eddie Bauer • Golden Corral • Harbor Freight • IHOP • Ikea • Kirkland’ s Home • On the Border Mexican Grill • Red Lobster • Starbucks • Wilson ’ s Leather

You can find a more complete list of businesses offering specials to veterans and active military online at Veteran. com and MileHighontheCheap.com.

Learning From Our Veterans

On November 11 and every other day, veterans should get more than simply free meals and discounts.Veterans Day is an opportunity to really thank them.

Consider asking a local veteran some questions to help you understand them better.What branch did they service in, when did they serve there, and where did they serve? What did they do, and what was it like when they were serving? What made them enlist?

You can ’t fully understand the service you are honoring until you hear a veteran ’ s story. It will mean the world to them and might help you appreciate our soldiers and the freedoms they fought to preserve for all of us.