As the holiday season officially approaches us, stop and take a moment to recognize the other important holiday this month.

Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11 and there are several ways you can honor our veterans starting this weekend.

Whidbey Island is home to veterans from all throughout this country’s history — from young to old.

A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at Bayview Cemetery. A potluck at the American Legion South Whidbey Post 141 will follow. The Marine Corps League will be supplying the Honor Guard and the guest speaker will be Fred McCarthy.

Oak Harbor will host its annual Veterans Day parade at 2 p.m., Saturday along Midway Boulevard and Pioneer Way.

The parade will include 50 fallen hero banners as in similar years. Grand Marshal this year is Olga Belevich Evans, who served as a flight nurse in WWII.

Evans was one of approximately 1,500 Army flight nurses in this country’s history. She served for two years, one month, and 13 days, from July 1, 1943 to Aug. 13, 1945. She was issued an Honorable Service Lapel Button when she was discharged as a first lieutenant.

Also on Saturday there will be a “Forget-Me-Not” drive run by the local Disabled American Veterans chapter.

Veterans will be selling the trademark blue flower from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at locations throughout Whidbey.

Proceeds from the drive go to the group’s programs and transportation needs.

On Veterans Day there will be a honoring ceremony at the Island County Commissioners hearing room in Coupeville.

An entertaining affair will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday when “A Musical Salute to our Veterans” will be performed at Oak Harbor High School.

There are a number of ways to honor America’s veterans starting this weekend; take a moment and thank those who have served our country.