Several events are happening around town to honor those who served leading up to Veterans Day this Saturday.

On Thursday, Bakersfield College is putting on Vet Fest to link students with services while Garces Memorial High School will hand out medals to veterans during a ceremony that morning. Media companies, including KUZZ, will be setting up shop around town to collect donations for Honor Flight Kern County.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting a 242nd birthday party for the Marines at their central Bakersfield office on Friday. The public is welcome, and the event kicks off at 10:00a.m.

On Veterans Day, the American Legion in downtown Bakersfield will start serving a free breakfast at 6:00a.m. for vets (non-military folks are encouraged to donate $5). The Department of Veterans Services will host a flag raising a short hop away at the Veterans Memorial on Truxtun Avenue and S Street at 8:00. The events will end with the Veterans Day Parade at 10:00a.m.

Kelli Pierce