The Central Coast will recognize veterans with several ceremonies and other events starting as early as this weekend.

Rudy Henderson, commander of local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7139 in the Santa Ynez Valley, noted the holiday was created as Armistice Day to honor veterans of World War I, "yet today we also honor all Americans who have served in every other war, before and after World War I."

"We also honor our veterans from every period of peace as well, for they protect what our war veterans fought for and died to defend," he added.

Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce officials say they will recognize the nation's heroes with a memorial service on the pier at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, commandant of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, will be the keynote speaker at the event, a special presentation will be made by Dr. Paul Jones and the Vandenberg Air Force Base Honor Guard will post the colors, organizers said.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce of (800) 443-7778.

Multiple events and ceremonies are planned for Veterans Day, which falls on Wednesday.

In Lompoc, the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building, 100 E. Locust Ave. Several local dignitaries will attend.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1717 will host the event. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the building.

Also in Lompoc, the Elks Lodge will honor Veterans Day with a lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 905 E. Ocean Ave. Lunch will be free for veterans and $3 for nonmembers. Entertainment will be provided by the Dick Clark Big Band from noon to 3 p.m. Military memorabilia also will be on display. This event is free and open to the public. For information, call 736-2274.

In the Santa Ynez Valley, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7139 will host the local Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building on Mission Drive in Solvang.

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation will host a Veterans Day Celebration at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. The public is invited to honor armed service veterans, their families, and currently serving military members at this special event.

Members of Los Soldados de Cuera (Soldiers of the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara) and soldiers from Fort Tejon State Historic Park will help pay tribute to military veterans. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes a prayer, wreath ceremony, the playing of taps and a cannon and musket firing.

In honor of America's veterans and armed services personnel, Wednesday has been designated as a Fee Free Day in Southern California National Forests. A National Forest Adventure Pass will not be required for visitors recreating in the Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino and Cleveland national forests.

"Veterans Day is a great way to connect communities with public lands while honoring the sacrifices made by America's Veterans and Armed Services personnel," said Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. "The Fee Free Day is an opportunity to get outdoors and appreciate the open spaces and national treasures of our public lands here in Southern California."

Visitors who inadvertently commit a Daily Adventure Pass on a Fee Free Day can have it replaced free-of-charge. Other fees, such as campground, reservation and group site fees, still may be applicable.

For more information, contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District in Santa Maria at 925-9538.