Groups and schools across Mower County are getting ready to recognize veterans on Wednesday.

Veterans Day events will kick off tomorrow with several annual veterans breakfasts at several Austin and area schools, including the VFW at Neveln Elementary School at 7:30 a.m.; the I.J. Holton Intermediate School Student Council will also host veterans a breakfast from 7:15 to 8 a.m.; other schools holding a breakfast in Austin from 7:30 to 8 a.m. include Banfield Elementary, Southgate Elementary, Ellis Middle School and the Austin High School.

Then veterans will visit fellow vets at Austin senior homes around 10 a.m., followed by a noon lunch at the American Legion Post 91, 809 12th St. SW.

Like in past years, veteran Norm Hecimovich will teach students about patriotism and how to properly dispose of American flags.

“They have to learn the value of patriotism and how to dispose of a flag properly,” he said.

Hecimovich said he’s been doing the program for about 15 years, and he prides himself on teaching children.

A flag retirement ceremony will be held at the VFW, 300 Fourth Ave. NE, starting at 3:30 p.m., and the Austin High School Jazz Band is slated to participate in the ceremony. That will be followed by a POW/MIA program and dinner at the VFW starting at 5 p.m., and the jazz band is set to perform at 5:15 and 6 p.m. The dinner and performance is open to the public.

Government offices will be closed for the holiday.

Ellis hosting Freedom Week

Ellis Middle School is also hosting Freedom Week events, which will include the breakfast, an assembly to honor veterans and hear from Hormel Veteran Essay winners, and hear presentations from the Wounded Warrior Project.

Student events continue at the school on Thursday with Tracy Bachman and Sheriff Terese Amazi slated to talk to students about freedom and rights.

Sacred Heart Catholic School students

A program will be held Thursday at the Armed Forces Museum in Adams — also known as the Adams American Legion Building.

Speakers include Wayne Robertson talking about the Vietnam War, Jerry Matheis talking about Vietnam and medals, members of the National Guard talking about present day service, and LuAnn Kellog talking about working with the military.

Hy-Vee to host annual breakfasts on Wednesday

Hy-Vee will host its annual Veterans Day breakfasts to recognize and thank veterans and active-duty military members for their service with a complimentary meal.

Hy-Vee expects to serve more than 80,000 veterans, military members and their guests at 240 stores across its eight-state region this year.

The Veterans Day breakfasts are part of the Hy-Vee Homefront initiative, which is comprised of several company efforts, including the “Hy-Vee Round Up for the Homefront” program, Honor Flights and veterans and military member employee recruitment.

Now through Nov. 15, Hy-Vee customers can help support veterans by rounding up their purchases to the next dollar — or a desired dollar amount — at the checkout. Hy-Vee will match customer donations, up to $100,000. All proceeds from Hy-Vee’s Round Up program go to benefiting three organizations that support veterans and their families.

For more information on the Hy-Vee Homefront initiative, visit www.hy-vee.com/homefront.