ROBERTSDALE — Once again the communities of Central Baldwin will be honoring veterans with a variety of events scheduled for the week leading up to Veterans Day, which is Friday, Nov. 11.

One of the biggest celebrations will be a sit-down dinner hosted by the town of Loxley and the Loxley Church of God’s J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) senior adult ministry, which will hold a potluck fellowship and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at the Loxley Civic Center.

Meat will be provided for the dinner. Area veterans are encouraged to attend and all residents in the surrounding communities are asked to come and bring a side dish or dessert to compliment the entree.

Veterans, along with current military personnel, are invited to attend and will be recognized during the event.

This is the seventh year for the community-wide event, coordinated by Loxley Council Member Katherine Breeden on behalf of the J.O.Y. club.

The Robertsdale Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center will also hold a program to honor veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 8 beginning at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Covenant Hospice.

The program will feature the color guard from the Robertsdale High School ROTC and featured speaker Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy.

On Friday, Nov. 11, members of the Fort Bowyer Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be at the center, handing out gifts to resident veterans.

The George P. Thames Senior Citizens group in Robertsdale will also honor veterans beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the PZK Civic Center in Robertsdale, 17933 Highway 104, Robertsdale.

Presentation of colors and an invocation will be followed by a pot-luck lunch, featuring turkey and dressing provided by Mac & Jerry’s.

A certificate for veterans will be presented by Covenant Care, followed by entertainment by the husband and wife duo One More Time out of Pensacola.

There will also be a display in memory and in honor of veterans. For more information or if you would like to donate photos and other items for the display, call the senior center at 251-947-8973.

Area schools will also hold programs to honor veterans.

Robertsdale High School will host a program beginning around 10:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at the school. Wayne Stacey with American Legion Post 44, Gulf Shores, will be the featured speaker. For more information call the school at (251) 947-4154.

Robertsdale Elementary School will feature a patriotic program for veterans beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the school’s multipurpose room, 1 Cub Drive, Robertsdale. For more information call the school, 251-947-4003.

Elsanor School will host a Veterans Day reception and program on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Reception for veterans begins at 11 a.m., followed by a program at 1 p.m. in the school gym. For more information contact the school, 251-947-5401.

Central Baldwin Middle School will host a patriotic program beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 in the school’s gym at 24545 Highway 59, Loxley. For more information call the school at 251-947-2327.

A patriotic program featuring school students and a guest speaker will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at Rosinton School, 19757 County Road 64, Robertsdale. For more information call the school at 251-964-5210.

All local public schools will observe the Veteran’s Day holiday on Friday, Nov. 11 with most schools participating in Veterans Day programs on Thursday, Nov. 10.

Students and faculty at St. Patrick School will hold Veterans Day observances on Nov. 11 at the school, 23070 Highway 59, Robertsdale. Students and faculty will gather around the flagpole at 7:55 a.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem, there will be a time of prayer for active service men and women and for world peace.

Veterans are invited to a school assembly beginning at 9 a.m. in the school gym. For more information call the school at 251-947-7395.

Central Christian School, located at 17395 Highway 104 in Robertsdale, will also host a program to honor veterans beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Coffee and desserts will be served afterward. Any veterans wishing to attend should call the school office to register, (251) 947-5043, so that they may be properly recognized.

Veterans Day originally began on Nov. 11, 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson declared the day Armistice Day in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles ending World War I.

In 1938, by act of Congress, the day was declared a legal holiday, which was amended in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day in honor of all veterans.

After the date was changed several times at various points in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, President Gerald R. Ford signed a proclamation returning Veterans Day to Nov. 11 in 1978, where it has remained every year since.

All veterans and their families are invited to participate in all of the local programs.