Veterans and current members of the U. S. Armed Forces have sacrificed much to protect this nation.

In gratitude, local municipalities and community organizations have planned ceremonies to recognize these heroes.

Join in these events in observance of Veterans Day.

DeKalb County

DeKalb County and the DeKalb County Veterans Affairs Advisory Board will host their annual Veterans Day program Thursday at 11 a.m. This year’s theme is “ONE DeKalb: Coming Together to Salute Our Military Veterans of Every Era.”

The program will be at the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

The guest speaker will be Col. Brent E. Bracewell, joint staff director of the Georgia National Guard. The program will also include presentations honoring Charles Stanley, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, and Richard Stogner, DeKalb County chief operating officer.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Information: (404) 371-2881.

MJCCA

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and The Weinstein School host a Shabbat Sing in honor of veterans Friday at 10 a.m. The community is invited to join the preschool students in a morning of song and prayer.

The program will take place in Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd. in Dunwoody.

Information: (678) 812-4161.

Decatur Cemetery

Volunteers with the Friends of Decatur Cemetery, along with local Boy Scout members, will place flags on the graves of nearly 1,000 veterans at the cemetery at 299 Bell St. Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The flags will remain by the VA markers through Nov. 17.

On Sunday at 11 a.m., American Legion Post 66 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at Decatur Cemetery.

Information: (404) 378-4411.

Dunwoody

City officials will host a Veterans Day ceremony Monday at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Rd. in Dunwoody. The ceremony will honor all those who have served or currently serve in the military.

The ceremony includes musical performances and a speech by retired U.S. Army Col. Charles “Chuck” Guta.

Information: (678) 382-6700.