Escalon High School will welcome local veterans on Friday, Nov. 9 for a special program highlighting their sacrifice and service.

Veterans are invited to meet with students putting on the program at 1:45 p.m. Friday in the old gym, with the formal program for the entire student body being offered at an assembly in the new gym at 2 p.m.

That is just one of the special events scheduled in the community centering around the Veterans Day observance.

Members of the Escalon American Legion, Gustafson Thompson Post 263, are planning for their annual Veterans Day activities, which begin with a Saturday morning parade. Parade coordinator is Vince Giovaniello; he can be reached at 209-604-9100 for information about how to get registered to join the parade.

The festivities are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 starting with the parade on Main Street at 10:30 a.m. Following the parade, there will be a brief service at the Memorial Wall adjacent to the city’s Community Center on Escalon Avenue, then a barbecue lunch will be served from noon to 3 p.m. at the Community Center. For advance sale tickets to the barbecue, call Al Bellinger at 209-838-3388. Cost is $11 for adults and $6 for those 12 and younger. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Meanwhile, Hula’s in Escalon will be hosting its third annual ‘Free Meals for Veterans’ event on Monday, Nov. 12. All veterans from throughout the area are invited to come in anytime during the restaurant’s regular hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and receive a free meal. Hula’s owner Tony Victorino said last year they served 76 free meals to veterans and are hoping for a good turnout this year as well. Veterans can choose any meal from the Hula’s menu and it also comes with a non-alcoholic beverage. No specific proof of service is required; just identify yourself as a veteran to receive the meal.