Friday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. Communities in Cobb are observing the day with parades, lunches, ceremonies and more. Here are a few of the ways the holiday is being observed:
 

Show support for veterans with a green light  
You can participate in Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by changing a porch light or other light in your home to a green bulb and lighting it through Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The Board of Commissioners has designated Cobb County as a Green Light for Veterans County and will light up several county buildings green from Nov. 7 - 13,  joining Operation Green Light to shine the light on the needs of veterans in our community.

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Give thanks picnic in east Cobb
United Military Care invites you to attend its annual picnic, Give Thanks For All Who Served, on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta. This free event includes food, live music and entertainment. For more information, call 770-973-0014 or visit unitedmilitarycare.org.    

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Marietta parade and ceremony - Canceled
The Marietta Veterans Day Parade scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11 has been canceled due to weather concerns. There are no plans to reschedule the parade, due to its complexity, the Kiwanis Club said.

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Kennesaw lunch and program
The City of Kennesaw will honor the service of military members past and present with a complimentary lunch on Friday, Nov. 11 at noon at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw. All veterans and active-duty military are invited to attend. No identification will be required. A small program will include a special guest speaker, a presentation of colors and a POW/MIA recognition ceremony.
Guests are welcome. This year’s Veterans Day Luncheon is presented by the North Cobb Rotary Club. Lunch will be presented by Copeland’s of Kennesaw. They are also offering curbside to-go meals for those unable to eat in the community center.

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Acworth ceremony
Acworth will hold a Veterans Day ceremony 2 - 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11 at Patriots Point at Cauble Park.

* The city's website notes: In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Acworth Community Center at 4361 Cherokee Street.

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Powder Springs ceremony
Honor all the men and women who serve or have served in the military, 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial at the Powder Springs Library, in partnership with American Legion Post 294. The Veterans Memorial is located at 4181 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs.

Powder Springs Facebook page notes: In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at the Ford Center Reception Hall behind the library.

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The Battery Atlanta parade and ceremony
Come together and honor veterans and active-duty military as the Georgia Veterans Day Association presents the 41st Annual Georgia Veterans Day Parade and Observance Ceremony at noon Saturday, Nov. 12 at The Battery Atlanta on the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage, 800 Battery Avenue SE, Atlanta.

This hour-long event will include military and veteran speakers with performances from the 116th Army Band. This formal ceremony will have limited seating, but we encourage attendees to arrive early or bring your own chairs.  Everyone is encouraged to attend the Veterans Day Parade and help line the streets to show support for our military men and women.

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Veterans Memorial 5K
The Veterans Memorial 5K Run with the American Legion Post 29 honors heroes - past, present, and fallen. The run begins at Marietta Square, 1 Cherokee Street, Marietta on Saturday, Nov. 12 starting at 7:30 a.m. for runners, walkers and wheelchairs and 8:30 a.m. for the Tot Trot.

All funds raised assist local veterans and military families and support the Shepherds Men SHARE Initiative, the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation and Post 29 Service Officer.

More information here.

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Aviation History and Technology Center Cookout
Join the Aviation History and Technology Center 3 - 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 for a veterans day event and show your appreciation for those who have served our nation. Meet many of our community's veterans and offer a sincere thank you, enjoy a cookout, food and drink (free for veterans and spouses), tour the aircraft, and enjoy an outdoor screening of "Into Flight Once More" at 6 p.m. The documentary details the journey of several D-Day veterans' return to Normandy in 2019 about the iconic C-47s they jumped from in 1944. Don't forget your lawn chairs! See the flyer here.

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Cobb senior centers celebrate veterans

Veterans and first responders are invited to drive over to the Tim Lee Senior Center for a morning treat at a Veterans and First Responders Breakfast, drive-thru style,  9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Registration is required for this free event.

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Veterans Connection, Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Senior Wellness Center will celebrate veterans 10 - 11:30 a.m. with music, food, and speaker Major Braxton Cotton, veteran and Cobb County Sheriff Department Chief of Staff. 1150 Powder Springs Street, Marietta.

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Join the North Cobb Senior Center for a Veterans Day Salute to honor those who have served our country. It will conclude with a presentation on the Daffodil Program, designed to honor children who lost their lives in wartime. Daffodils will be planted following the program. It is free for veterans and spouses only. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at 3900 South Main Street (inside Kennworth Park), Acworth. Registration is required.
Click here for more information about these events.

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Veterans Connection, Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Freeman Poole Senior Center will recognize those who served and will have a special guest speaker John Butler, veteran and Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Association Board Chair. 4025 S. Hurt Road, Smyrna.

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Veterans Connection, Tuesday, Nov. 15 at West Cobb Senior Center celebrates veterans with a cookout, music and guest speaker Gerry Summey, American Trailhead President. 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.