By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Veterans Day is officially observed tomorrow, but various celebrations honoring those men and women who risked their lives to fight for our country begin across the River Parishes today.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve has scheduled a full day of events beginning at 9:45 a.m. with a veterans salute by the Lutcher High School JROTC. Later this afternoon, the home will hold a Veterans Day party with music and entertainment from Glitter N Gold. The party begins at 2 p.m.

On Thursday, the St. John the Baptist Parish Young Marines will visit with residents of the Veterans Home before, during and after lunch. There will also be a performance at the home by the Dixie Cloggers starting at 7 p.m.

The festivities in St. John conclude Saturday, as the Young Marines will spend the entire day at the home. The youth group will join forces with the Jefferson Parish Young Marines to spend time with the residents, while handling an assortment of odd jobs around the Reserve home. The day includes a jambalaya lunch and a balloon release. Veterans from all surrounding parishes are invited to attend.

In St. James Parish today, a community tradition continues with the 12th annual Veterans Day Celebration on the grounds of the St. James Parish Welcome Center on Airline Highway in Gramercy. The event will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with a color guard presentation courtesy of the VFW Post 5852, followed by the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the ROTC. There will also be a wreath laying at the foot of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

St. James Parish spokeswoman Melissa Wilkins said St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre will be the guest speaker for this year’s event. Following the speech, there will be a reading of the names of deceased veterans of the parish, followed by the playing of TAPS and a 21-gun salute, Wilkins said.

Music and entertainment will be provided by the Dixieland Seven, two local dance teams and three choir performances. The night concludes with a fireworks display starting at 6:30.

Officials in St. Charles Parish will conduct a flag raising ceremony at the Parish Courthouse gazebo starting at 11 a.m. Thursday to honor all parish veterans. The ceremony will include the Pledge of Allegiance and a playing of the national anthem.