Veterans and their families are invited to attend a special event at the Marietta Community House on Sunday, Nov. 9. A Veterans Day program, brick dedication and ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in Studio 264, located behind the community house at 264 W. Market St., Marietta.

"We hold this event for the community to honor our veterans," said Nancy Kulman, secretary for the Marietta Community House, noting that the location has played an important role in local history. "The Marietta Community House was founded to honor Lt. Benjamin Hiestand, who died in World War I in an airplane crash while training pilots."

After their son's death, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hiestand formed the Marietta Community House in Benjamin's honor.

"They wanted to honor all young men who left their homes to serve in World War I," Kulman shared. "We have continued that tradition to honor all those who serve their country."

Members of the Marietta American Legion Post 466 will join the Community House in recognizing local heroes at the ceremony, including Benjamin. The Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard will present the colors, followed by a short ceremony.

Robert Pegritz will serve as the event's keynote speaker. He is a Vietnam veteran and member of the American Legion Post 466.

Local officials and others from the post will also offer remarks, and Donegal High School students will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other patriotic songs.

The Red Rose Honor Guard will also complete a flag folding ceremony. Following the ceremony, a flag placing will be held on the hill at the Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta.

Additionally, the event will include a dedication of bricks to the Marietta Community House's Buy-A-Brick program. This project honors and remembers local individuals and businesses, Kulman said, adding that a reading of the inscriptions will be presented as well as comments from the donors.

Money received from the brick project has been used to repair and maintain the Marietta Community House for use by the local community.

Built in 1871 by Dr. John Huston for his nephew, the home remained a private residence until 1909, when it became a sanitarium that administered rabies vaccines to children. In 1919, as World War I was ending, the Hiestands purchased the building and donated the house to the community of Marietta. Over the years, the building has housed an American Legion post, a public library, a well-baby clinic, a soup kitchen and the Pennsylvania School for the Arts, among other organizations. It now serves as a wedding and special event venue, with a focus on a variety of community events throughout the year.

"We encourage everyone to attend this event to also honor those who served their country and remember those who are not with us," Kulman said. "Those who have attended in the past have been touched by the presentation of the colors and folding of the flag."

The program is free to attend, and refreshments will be served. Memorial bricks are still available to purchase. For more information, contact Kulman at Marietta Community House at 717-426-1229.