WEST PALM BEACH – Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and schools throughout the School District of Palm Beach County will hold special programs and events during the week to thank veterans for their service to the country.
Schools will mark the occasion with flagpole ceremonies, guest speakers who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and service projects such as collecting items for the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach in Lake Worth or writing thank-you letters that are delivered to the West Palm Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center. The School District will honor administrative employees who are veterans during a ceremony at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Schools will be closed on Wednesday in honor of Veterans Day, though District offices will be open.
Special Veterans Day events scheduled this week include:
CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: School District administrative employees honored during a special ceremony at 9 a.m. at the flagpole in front of the District’s headquarters, 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach. Students from the Palm Beach Gardens High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) will present the colors, Jupiter Middle School band students will perform several patriotic selections and the Palm Beach Central High School Chorus Student Vocal Trio will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”
- Thursday, Nov. 12: Hidden Oaks Elementary School will hold its annual Veterans Day celebration, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the school, 7685 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth. Students and staff invite family and community members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces as their guests of honor. They will be treated to breakfast and a special musical program featuring students and staff. The Santaluces High School Army JROTC’s Honor Guard will open the program with a presentation of the colors, and Staff Sgt. Brian Mast will be the special guest speaker.
SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY
- Thursday, Nov. 19: Olympic Heights High School’s Student Government Association will host a musical presentation produced by Bob Weiner & Friends, featuring a special performance by the Boca Winds Bagel Swing Band, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school’s theater, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Proceeds will benefit Southeast Honor Flight and its efforts to send World War II veterans to visit the memorial in Washington, D.C.
NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTY
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: Watson B. Duncan Middle School presents its 15th annual Veterans Day program at the school, 5150 117th Court, Palm Beach Gardens. Program begins at 9:45 a.m., and features the Duncan chorus and band, the Palm Beach Gardens High School Navy JROTC and veterans representing different branches of the service. All veterans are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Tammy Roggen at 561-776-3518 or tammy.roggen@palmbeachschools.org.
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Jupiter High School’s Student Government Association will host a benefit dinner at Abacoa Country Club to raise money for Southeast Florida Honor Flight. The event features a panel of World War II veterans and a keynote speaker. Tickets are $150 per person. For more information, contact Jupiter High School at 561-744-7900.
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Lincoln Elementary School’s drum line and drill team will participate in a Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. in Stuart. The drum line and drill team also participated in West Palm Beach’s Veterans Day parade on Nov. 8.
WESTERN PALM BEACH COUNTY
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: Royal Palm Beach Elementary School’s Primary Drama Club presents a special Veterans Day play. There will be two performances, one at 8:30 a.m. for the entire school, staff and veterans, and at 7 p.m. for parents, community and veterans. The performances will be in the school’s cafeteria, 11911 Okeechobee Blvd., Royal Palm Beach.
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Wellington Community High School presents its third annual Veterans Day band concert at 7 p.m. in the school’s theater, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd. The concert will include many well-known patriotic selections. The event is free and open to the public.