Veterans to be honored this weekend

Veterans Day is officially on November 11. Around the mountain observation will take many forms, several of them taking place on Monday, Nov. 12. Here are a few of the events we learned about.

Vets’ benefits explained

Dave Hicks of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9791 is getting an early jump on honoring veterans by giving a talk on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at Pine Mountain Club’s Town Hall in the Pool Pavilion—open to all, PMC members or not, veterans and nonveterans—to talk about veterans benefits.

“It seems there are a lot of veterans and their families who don’t know that they do have benefits coming to them. Some have gone for as long as 35-40 years without receiving them,“ Hicks said. There are also new benefits that many don’t know about, he added. The talk will cover both federal and state benefits.

“We will also be talking about some of the helpful organizations and other services available here on the hill,” he said. Hicks is looking forward to seeing good participation in the Town Hall talk. He’ll be happy to answer questions.

Free Adventures in Forest

In recognition of America’s military veterans, Los Padres National Forest officials announced a a “Fee Free” weekend November 10-12. No Forest Adventure Pass will be required for visitors in any areas of the Los Padres (except for the Santa Barbara District’s Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area).

“Each year on Veterans Day, the Los Padres and all national forests acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of the veterans of our Armed Forces,” said Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “This year we are pleased to offer fee-free throughout the weekend. This gives the public the chance to enjoy the natural treasures of our forest, and to take time to reflect on the heroism of our past and present service members.”

Free Pancakes at Denny’s

 On Monday, Nov. 12 Denny’s at the Flying J is offering free “‘all you can eat’ pancakes to veterans from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” said Manager Paul Newman (at Flying J on Frazier Mountain Park Road, 661- 248-2200). He said though Veterans Day is on Sunday, most observance of the day is on Monday.

Sure enough, Denny’s at Grapevine will be offering free pancakes for 24 hours Sunday midnight to Monday midnight (6 Loop Rd. E. Lebec, 661-248-3409). Both restaurants said that identification is casual, with any photo of yourself in uniform, your discharge papers or any other means of identifying yourself as a veteran is all that is needed.

Veterans Day Ceremony

On Monday, Nov. 12 a ceremony to honor veterans at the Cody Prosser Veterans Memorial in Frazier Mountain Park will be held. Frankie Sanchez said the ceremony starts at 11 a.m.

Terrance Alexis of National Cement, Fred Rose and community members will speak. Sandy Browne will sing the national anthem. Richard Sheffield of Veterans for Trees will dedicate and plant a tree for the occasion.

This is part of the November 09, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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