Here’s a schedule of Veterans Day events in Belleville, O’Fallon and across southwest IL

Honor our veterans this week by attending one of these area events:

▪ Belleville’s 23rd annual Veterans Day Ceremony — 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Veterans Memorial Fountain, Public Square, downtown Belleville. Keynote Speaker: Col. Rob L. Lowe III, vice commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base. If inclement weather prevails on Thursday, the ceremony will be moved to the Belleville City Council chambers in City Hall at 101 S. Illinois St.

▪ Veterans’ Day Program — 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. First Baptist Church, 1111 East Highway 50, O’Fallon. The program will include guest speaker Major General Vincent Barker, USA, Chief of Staff, USTRANSCOM, and the introduction of the new inscriptions to the monument. The public is invited. Masks required. ofallonveteransmonument.org

▪ Veterans Day Remembrance Celebration — 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. City Hall War Memorial, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Presentation of colors by VFW.

▪ Veterans Day Service — 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. American Legion Prairie Du Pont Post 485, 200 S. 5th St., Dupo. Lt. Col. Tom Luckritz, SMSgt. John D. Solomon and IL-941 AFJROTC, American Legion Prairie Du Pont Post 485 and Auxiliary Unit 485 in Dupo, IL and Chief Pontiac VFW Post 1699, Cahokia, IL invite the public to this annual Veteran’s Day service. Includes a luncheon of deli meat with sides, dessert and coffee and tea. This Veterans Day they will recognize Korean War Veterans who served between 1950 and 1955, including all veterans of the American Legion and the VFW.

▪ Veterans Day Ceremony and Memorial Dedication — Noon Thursday, Nov. 11. Leighton Evatt American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Kicks off with a parade along Main Street in Downtown Collinsville at 10 a.m. facebook.com/legionpst365

▪ O’Fallon annual Veterans’ Day Parade — 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. O’Fallon Community Park, 401 E. 5th St., O’Fallon. The parade starts on South Hilgard, turns west (left) on Third Street, north (right) on Lincoln Avenue, west (left) on First Street and ends at VFW Post 805. Rain or shine. facebook.com/ofallonveteransmonument

▪ Carlyle Veterans Day Parade — 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Carlyle. Parade starts at Carlyle High School and ends at the Carlyle VFW 1250 Franklin St. Dance to follow at the VFW starting at 3:30 p.m. Raffle drawing at 6 p.m. carlylelake.com

▪ Wood River Veterans Day Ceremony — 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Central Park, Round House, 633 N. Wood River Ave., Wood River.

▪ Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 Veterans Day Parade — 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. St. Louis Street to North Main Street, Edwardsville. The parade starts by Walgreens on Main Street. Free food and entertainment at Post 199 after the parade. Poppies will be available. Donations deeply appreciated. facebook.com/post199

▪ War Stories: A Veteran’s Day Salute to the Soldier — 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Vue17, 17th floor, University Tower, 1034 Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis. A live and lively one-of-a-kind panel of combat veterans moderated by NFL Coach Gregg Williams, the event includes social hours following the taping with book and poster signings. Event preceded by the Saint Louis International Film Festival screening of the documentary “The Final 19” at the Tivoli Theatre at 5 p.m. Reserve free tickets for the screening at cinemastlouis.org/sliff/final-19.

▪ The Belleville Elks Lodge 11th annual Veterans Celebration — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. St. Luke’s Parish Hall, 226 N. Church St., Belleville. Doors will open at noon. The Belleville Elks Lodge is pleased to invite U.S. veterans and active members of all branches of the U.S. military, first responders and their families. Includes entertainment by Elizabeth Lakamp. Drive-thru lane available for those unable to attend in person. RSVP as soon as possible via message or text to 618-328-9335.