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.

At 11 a.m., Santa Maria's American Legion Post 56 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park, corner of Pine and Tunnell streets.

At the same time, the Santa Maria Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2521 will hold a separate ceremony at the Santa Maria Cemetery, on Battles Road between Stowell and Battles roads. The ceremony will recognize prisoners of war, organizers said.

Veterans and their families can receive a free meal, courtesy of Santa Maria attorney Michael B. Clayton, who is marking his ninth year of holding the barbecue.

This year, the location has been changed due to the overwhelming turnout of past events. The barbecue will be at the Veterans Memorial Community Center, 500 S. Pine St. in Santa Maria.

Veterans and their families will receive a free meal between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday as a thank you for their service, according to Clayton.

In Guadalupe, the American Legion post will host an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Guadalupe Cemetery, corner of highways 1 and 166 (Guadalupe and Main streets).

Speakers will include city officials and a representative of Vandenberg Air Force Base. A 21-gun salute and balloon release will occur in conjunction with the reading of the names of Guadalupe residents killed in wars.

Orcutt typically has its own ceremony at Pine Grove Cemetery, but organizers didn't return calls to provide details.

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

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 more information, call 736-2274.

In the Five Cities area, veterans groups will band together for a 10:45 a.m. ceremony at Veterans' Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St. in Pismo Beach. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2829 will host the ceremony, with participation from VFW Post 10978 and American Legion Post 136.

Also in Five Cities, the Oceano Elks Lodge will hold a veterans appreciation dinner at 6 p.m. at the lodge. Tickets are free for Oceano Elks who are veterans or $9 for others. A representative of Vandenberg Air Force Base will be the guest speaker. Admission is restricted to Elks and their friends.

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.