Veterans Day in Port Aransas is celebrated in a grand manner.

A program, honoring veterans of various military branches and wars, will be held today, Thursday, Nov. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Port Aransas High School gym, 100 S. Station St.

The public is encouraged to attend. The program is expected to last until 11:20 a.m.

Veterans and other dignitaries will assemble in the high school library at 9:30 a.m.

The PAHS band will play as the audience assembles.

VFW Post 8967 member Bill Lehmann will introduce the master of ceremonies, Chuck Borders, who will open the program.

The invocation will be delivered by high school student council member Jocelyn Flood.

Emma Shannon, a Brundrett Middle School student, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The PAHS band will play the Star Spangled Banner while students Jenna Ward, Claire Jones and Brenna Martin sing.

Superintendent Dr. Sharon Doughty and Mayor Keith McMullin will offer welcome remarks, and Constable Bobby Sherwood will introduce dignitaries, welcome the veterans and acknowledge area veterans as well as those who died this year.

A one-star Navy admiral from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi will recognize the John Bird family. Bird was the oldest veteran in Port Aransas prior to his death on Oct. 4, 2010. He was 96.

H.G. Olsen Elementary School second graders will sing and the high school band will play the Armed Forces Medley. A speech by high school student council president Marina Milligan will follow.

Charles Zahn will introduce Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, who will deliver a Veterans Day message.

A video presentation will be shown before everyone proceeds outdoors for a U.S. Navy jets’ fly-over to conclude the program.