Parades, Escorts for Veterans

    The East Hampton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 550 and the Sag Harbor V.F.W. Post 9082 will honor veterans on Sunday — Veterans Day — with parades in each village.

    The East Hampton parade will kick off  at the Citarella market at 10 a.m. and proceed to Hook Mill for a solemn ceremony. At 11 a.m., the American Legion Post in Amagansett will perform an annual 11th Hour Ceremony to remember all who have served in the wars.

    The parade honoring veterans in Sag Harbor on Sunday will begin at 9 a.m. at the Civil War monument, proceeding through Main Street to the American Legion Hall on Bay Street. There, Roger King, the commander of the Sag Harbor V.F.W., will introduce Stephen Peters, a Vietnam veteran and Sag Harbor native, as guest speaker.

    Mr. King has asked the community to remember that Veteran’s Day is intended “to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

    Veterans will also be remembered tonight, when an honorary escort will go through the village and over the Jordan Haerter Memorial Bridge to welcome home Col. Frank Kestler from Afghanistan, weather and gas permitting.

    Colonel Kestler has served in the Army Reserve for over 21 years. He became a Gold Star father in June of 2010 when his stepson, Lt. Joseph Theinert, was killed in action.

    Colonel Kestler is to be greeted at Long Island-MacArthur Airport and escorted by motorcycles to Shelter Island, where he lives and practices dentistry. A reception at the Shelter Island American Legion Hall will follow.

    The Springs School also recognized veterans this week during its morning spirit meet at 8:25.

    Veterans  Day began with the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. The name, Armistice Day, was later changed.