Here are some of the local planned Veterans Day activities (all activities fall on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, unless noted):

Ottawa

• The Ottawa Memorial Association will conduct a ceremony at 10 a.m. in Washington Square. All veterans are invited to join in the ceremony. The ceremony will feature speaker Sgt. 1st Class Paul Rogalla of Ottawa. Rogalla is a full-time National Guardsman from Alpha Company 405th Brigade Support Battalion from Streator. In case of bad weather, the program will be moved to Ottawa's Veterans of Foreign Wars post, 1501 N. La Salle St.
• Veterans and their families are invited to Pleasant View nursing home for the annual Veterans Day pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the main dining room. There is no charge and it will be an opportunity to meet and visit with Pleasant View residents who are veterans. Direct questions to Lorrie Lieske at 815-587-1009.
• Connections, Ottawa Regional Hospital's Adult Day Center, has planned a program for 1 p.m. at the Doris Ravlin Center, 400 E. Washington St. Donna Castro, Connections coordinator, said the American Legion and VFW Color Guards will present the colors and a flag-folding ceremony followed by a musical tribute to veterans performed by area kindergarten, first- and second-grade students, patriotic readings and recognition of veterans. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

Streator

• Posting of the colors and the ceremony welcome will begin at 10:45 a.m. at Veterans Plaza in City Park. The event, organized by Streator VFW Post 1492, also will involve setting the flag to half mast at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, as well as a performance by the Streator Grade School band, introduction of honored guests, laying of a wreath and presentation of the Veteran of the Year. Chicken baskets will be served at the VFW following the ceremony from noon to 2 p.m.

Marseilles

• Aerial bombs will be set off at 11 a.m. in the parking lot across from the Marseilles firehouse, 205 Lincoln St. Also, the traditional Avenue of Flags near Riverview Cemetery will be in place on Veterans Day between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Seneca

• Seneca High School will present a video documentary to honor all veterans at 8:05 a.m. on channel 6. Also, Bill Bernardoni, the Country Financial agent in Seneca, will once again sponsor a Veterans Day campaign. This year he would like to hear from family and friends of Seneca Township High School graduates who are serving in the military. He will be collecting letters, pictures, CDs and DVDs to be sent to troops overseas. All collections and donations should be brought to the Country Financial office at 216 N. Main St., by Wednesday, Nov. 11. Call 815-357-6942 for more information.

Utica

• Brunch for veterans will be 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 8; a parade will begin at 1 p.m. with ceremony to follow. Undersecretary of Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth will be the keynote speaker.

Somonauk

• A Veterans Day celebration for Somonauk community veterans will be at 8:40 a.m. at the Somonauk High School gymnasium, 500 W. La Salle St. James R. Wood school students will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. There will be performances by the Somonauk Middle School band and the select high school students. The keynote speaker will be Col. James Marshall, a 1986 graduate of West Point, and a 1982 graduate of Somonauk High School. At the conclusion of the morning's events, veterans will be invited to stay for coffee and rolls in the high school cafeteria. All veterans and family members of students and staff who are veterans are invited. Veterans planning to attend are asked to register by calling 815-498-1866.