Veterans Day observances around the area began on Monday with a Veterans luncheon at the Ocean Shores Elks Lodge No. 2581.

While there is no all-day celebration in Ocean Shores as took place the past two years, Veterans are invited to a special Dinner Dance at the Elks Lodge on Friday night Nov. 11 to commemorate the occasion. The lodge is located at 199 Ocean Lake Way SE in Ocean Shores.

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.

Here are some other observances from around Grays Harbor.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Montesano

Montesano High School’s Veterans Day assembly will be at 9 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 in the library. RSVP for breakfast to 249-4041 or aekerson@monteschools.org

Elma

• Elma High School’s Veterans Day assembly will be held at 10:30 a.m. Guests are invited to park in the reserved area at the West Staff parking area.

• Elma Elementary School’s assembly will be at 9 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 11

Aberdeen

Aberdeen VFW will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. at 105 E. Heron followed by hamburger and hot dog lunch and refreshments.

Montesano

Montesano VFW will host a service at 11 a.m. at Fleet Park. Potluck to follow. All ages welcome. In case of rain, the service will be held in the hall at 315 S. Main.

Elma

Elma VFW and Auxiliary will host a memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street as well as lunch from 11:30 to 2 p.m. at the Elma Grange, 4th and Waldrip. Lunch is $5. A grand parade will start at 1 p.m. in downtown Elma.