SEASIDE >> Organizers are welcoming and encouraging the public to attend a Veterans Day ceremony Monday at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, 2900 Parker Flats Road, Seaside, on land that was once part of the Fort Ord Army base.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the event, co-sponsored by Seaside American Legion Post 591, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation and the city of Seaside, will commence with a welcome and proclamation from Gov. Gavin Newsom presented by Fernando Pimentel, director of the Veterans Cemetery.

Following the welcome will be the start of the ceremony by Michael Ward, Commander of American Legion Post 591. The Seaside High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard will post the colors, American Legion District 28 Chaplin Mary Estrada will deliver an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Diana Alvares-Ward, president of American Legion Post 591, and the national anthem will be sung by Brenda Thomas.

State Sen. John Laird will be the keynote speaker. The program will also feature presentations by Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby and Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone, along with remarks from County Supervisors Wendy Root Askew and Mary Adams.

Refreshments will be served, and following the ceremony, VFW Post 8679, located at 1996 Fremont Blvd., in Seaside, will be providing a lunch at no charge to veterans.

Also on Monday in Salinas, the 14th annual Veterans Day Parade kicks off with opening ceremonies at 1 p.m., at the Salinas High School parking lot. The parade will begin at 2 p.m., with a Calstar helicopter leading the way, according to organizers. Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig will address the city’s veterans at the opening ceremony and there will be a mock oath of enlistment for approximately 100 future service members from all branches.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Marine John Macias. The parade committee raised funds so that everyone who wishes to participate in the parade can apply and enter for free.

For more information contact Tony Virrueta at (831) 214-9781 or tonyvirrueta@gmail.com.

From now through Veterans Day, the County of Monterey is illuminating flagpoles at three county building sites to honor the county’s many local veterans and to take part in Operation Green Light, a national program focused on support for veterans and raising awareness around the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families. Flagpoles will be lit with green lights from dawn to dusk through Monday at the Salinas Government Center at 168 Alisal St., along with the center at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas, and the Veterans and Military Affairs Office at 2620 1st St., in Marina.

The county’s Military and Veterans Affairs Office plays a role in administering services for veterans, helping local former service members access more than $13.4 million health, disability and compensation benefits each year.

Local veterans are encouraged to reach out to the Military and Veterans Affairs Office to learn more about the benefits available for both them and their families. For more information visit https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/military-veterans#mva

The county encourages local businesses and residents to join in and display their own green light.