Lansing area Veterans Day events 2017

This year, Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11, the day after the 242nd anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. Here is a list of several Veterans Day celebrations taking place across Greater Lansing.

Nov. 9

Charlotte High School Band Veterans Day Concert, 7 p.m. Nov. 9. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. Admission is free.

Free Pet Adoptions for Veterans, Nov. 9 and 11-12. Ingham County Animal Control, 600 Curtis St., Mason. Ingham County Animal Control is waiving adoption fees for veterans. Dogs adopted to Ingham County residents will need to purchase a dog license for $14. Veterans must bring their military ID to qualify. All adoptions are subject to normal approval procedures and restrictions including an adoption application, interview and proof of landlord permission for renters. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. For more information, call the shelter at 676-8370, visit www.ac.ingham.org or stop in at the shelter. The shelter is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. The shelter is closed Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans Day.

More:Emotional homecoming at Michigan State for 75-year-old Army veteran with cancer

Nov. 10

Free Breakfast at Big Boy, 7-10:30 a.m. Nov. 10. Both the St. Johns and Mason Big Boy will again be honoring area veterans with a free breakfast for Veterans Day. The St. Johns Big Boy is located at 1408 S. U.S. 27 and the Mason Big Boy is at 660 N. Cedar St. 

Free Steak Dinner, 6-8 p.m. Nov. 10. Leslie American Legion Post 491, 422 Woodworth St., Leslie. Free to all veterans. Bring a copy of your DD214 or other veteran verification. For more information, call 589-9122.

Third Annual MSU Veterans Day Program and Breakfast, 8 a.m. Nov. 10. Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. Join the MSU Student Veterans of America at the Kellogg Center’s Lincoln Room for a breakfast event to recognize the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend. Registered guests may check in between 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. The program welcome will begin at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast options include The Red Cedar, scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese served with applewood smoked bacon, country sausage links and breakfast potatoes, and The Grand River, brioche French toast topped with a peach compote and candied pecans. Guests with dietary requests should contact MSU Student Veterans of America at msusva@msu.edu or 884-5973. RSVP is required. To register, visit http://bit.ly/2AmVpQ1.

Veterans Day celebration, 8:10 a.m. Nov. 10. Island City Academy, 6421 S. Clinton Trail, Eaton Rapids. The students have been working hard on providing an amazing concert for all military. After the concert, a catered breakfast from Robin's Nest will be provided to all military personnel. 

WKAR Pop-Up Stories: From the Frontlines, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10. MSU Communication Arts & Sciences Media Auditorium Room 145, 404 Wilson Road, East Lansing. Hear personal stories from veterans who have experienced war firsthand and those that are still feeling the effects to this day. The theme is "stories from the front lines," and any veteran is welcome to tell a personal story. Stories should be around five minutes long and should be true, firsthand accounts. They will be recorded for possible use on the air, with permission, and should be family and FCC friendly.

If you are not a veteran with a story to share, come enjoy yourself as an audience member. If you want to sign up to tell a story or request additional information or assistance for persons with disabilities, email Katie Cook at kcook@wkar.org.

This special edition of Pop-Up Stories is in partnership with the Lansing State Journal. Parking is free after 6 p.m. in the Trowbridge Road parking ramp, 1149 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing.

More:East Lansing veterans commemorated with new memorial

Nov. 11

Capital Area Veterans Day Observance, 8:30 a.m. Nov. 11. Lansing Catholic High School, 501 Marshall St., Lansing. The event is free and open to the public. The event begins with a complimentary breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. in the school’s cafe area. Exhibit tables will be on site with participation from service dog trainees, Blue Star Families and veterans service organizations. The Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium. The keynote speaker is Douglas Szczepanski Jr., an Iraq War Purple Heart Recipient, inspirational speaker and minister with the non-profit organization Miracle Soldier Inc. The ceremony will also feature Color Guard, musical performances by the Lansing Catholic Choir, Lansing Eastern High School Band, Glen Erin Pipe Band and vocalist Mary Black Junttonen.

Free CATA rides, All veterans will ride free Nov. 11 on all CATA services. Show your military ID card when boarding.

Golf Discount for Veterans, Nov. 11. Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Road, Bath Township. Veterans: 18 holes with cart for $25; Veteran guests: 18 holes with cart for $50. For more information, call 903-8064.

Ingham County Veterans Day Parade through Downtown Mason, 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Line up at 1:30 p.m. at Nazarene Church, 415 E. Maple St., Mason. Free admission. An open house will follow at the VFW Post 7309, 1243 Hull Road, Mason.

A Salute to Veterans Concert, 8 p.m. Nov. 11. The Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan, Lansing. Featuring the Larry McGray Band playing music from the Vietnam War era.

St. Johns Veterans Day Parade, 11 a.m. Nov. 11. The parade route will line up at the Wilson Center parking lot and travel north on Clinton to Cass Street, west on Cass Street to Maple Street, north on Maple Street to State Street, east on State and then north on Clinton Avenue to the Veterans Memorial.

Veterans Day Dinner, 7 p.m. Nov. 11. Knights of Columbus Hall, 5300 N. Grand River, Lansing. Social hour at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Bishop Albers Assembly #0496 and the Lansing Assembly #3334 of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Featured speaker will be Richard Thelen, a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Veterans eat free while the public is invited to a free will donation chicken dinner. For more information, call David Myers at 281-1092.

Veterans Day Program, 11 a.m.-noon. Nov. 11. Stephen W. Frank American Legion Post #269, 1485 Haslett Road, Haslett. Refreshments will follow.

World War II Photo Exhibit, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 11. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. Over 600 photos of World War II veterans will be on display for public viewing. The photograph collection will be dedicated at a Special Honors Program at 11 a.m. in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. State Rep. Tom Barrett will deliver the principal address and six Charlotte Public School students will participate in telling in-depth stories of young men and women veterans who served and sacrificed for our country. The photograph collection will then be exhibited at the Courthouse Square Museum in Charlotte.

Did we miss something? Email us at events@lsj.com or call 377-1044 to let us know.