By Patricia A. Douglas
Post 911 Public Affairs Coordinator

Members of Ryan Winslow Post 911 will be in the community next week at several Veterans Day-related events.
The veteran appreciation kickoff will be on Sunday at Hoover Library beginning at 2 p.m. Peyton Ligon is the keynote speaker, and several of our post members are receiving folded flags in recognition of their service to veterans and veteran projects in Hoover. A reception will follow.
On Nov. 10, the National Veterans Award Dinner will take place at the downtown Sheraton with a 5 p.m. reception prior to the dinner. “It’s purpose is to honor an outstanding veteran … who has made the greatest contribution to further the patriotic interests of veterans and veteran organizations,” according to the National Veterans Day website. Other outstanding veterans will also be recognized at the annual event.
Prior to the dinner will be a short ceremony honoring Raymond Weeks. Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans. In 1947, he led the first National Veterans Day Parade and led a delegation to Washington, D.C., to urge the creation of the holiday.
The 75th annual National Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. through the streets of Birmingham. The Post 911 Riders will participate in the parade.
Post 911 will have a table set up to receive unserviceable flags and to recruit new members on Nov. 11-12. The table will be at Sam’s Club on Nov. 11 and at Academy Sports on Nov. 12. The times will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.