The community is invited to a Veterans Day ceremony that will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5, beginning at 2 p.m. at Tel Hai Retirement Community. The event, which will include patriotic music, guest presentations and the honoring of local veterans, will be held in Tel Hai's Stonecroft Center for the Performing Arts, 4000 Treeline Drive, Honey Brook.

The annual Veterans Day program is a joint effort between Tel Hai, Honey Brook Borough and Honey Brook Township. The planning committee includes Tim Herr, Tel Hai chaplain, along with members of the Tel Hai Veterans Group, Honey Brook Township supervisor John McHugh and Honey Brook Borough Council members Rich Florio and Jeanne Jenzano.

This year's musical entertainment will be provided by the 49ers Chorus. "They will do all patriotic songs," Jenzano explained. "They will also do a medley of all the theme songs from each branch of the service. The musical part of the program adds an emotional level to (the event)."

Also in attendance will be Rep. Dan Williams, a member of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee. "He will talk briefly about some of the legislation and some of the things happening at that level for veterans," said Jenzano.

The guest speaker will be David Turner Sr., founder and president of David's Drive 831 (DD831), who will attend with his wife, Joy. DD831 is named for David Turner Jr., who was employed at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center when he passed away at the age of 20 in December 2009. His family members started the all-volunteer DD831 charity to benefit veterans by providing much-needed goods and services. The 831 symbolizes the phrase "I love you," because the phrase contains eight letters in three words that have one meaning.

Among its many efforts, DD831 collects underwear and socks and other necessities for veterans and donates beds and other supplies to previously homeless veterans who are moving into transitional housing. During Veterans' Week activities at the VA, DD831 is sponsoring a variety of events, including Super Bingo.

There will also be a program presented about the American flag by Tel Hai veteran Rich Toscano. "He is going to do a whole presentation about the flag - the symbolism of the flag and how to fold the flag properly," said Jenzano.

The program will conclude with the honoring of local veterans. "Rich will read a bio of our veterans from the borough, and John will read the bios from the veterans from the township and they all will receive a plaque," said Jenzano, noting that select Tel Hai veterans will also be recognized. "It's not just their military service we are honoring. We are honoring their contributions to their community."

Members of Boy Scout Troop 9 of Honey Brook, led by Scoutmaster Cory Short, will present the colors and lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. "They will also help with handing out programs as people walk in," noted Jenzano.

Jenzano pointed out that McHugh, a Marine Corps veteran, started the Veterans Day event at the Honey Brook Township Building. "We try to make (the ceremony) special, and everyone is invited to attend," she added.