Veterans across the county are being honored today in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Activities include:

--- York County Veterans Day Breakfast: The York County Department of Veteran's Affairs is hosting a breakfast and program to honor all veterans this morning at the York Expo Center.

--- Applebee's, in Springettsbury Township, is offering a free meal today for all veterans and active service members with proof of service. For information, call 755-8681.

--- Mount Wolf native Lee Shoemaker, a Navy Sailor who is studying at the Maritime College at the State University of New York, will ring the opening bell today for the New York Stock Exchange. Shoemaker graduated Northeastern High School in 2001.

--- Students,

Assistant features editor Susan Jennings worries and writes about her kid brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen Haller, who just left for his first tour of Afghanistan on her blog, The Yellow Ribbon.
staff and faculty at the York and Gettysburg campuses of Harrisburg Area Community College will hold a moment of silence at noon today to honor veterans, prisoners of war and those missing in action. All will be able to sign "Thank a Vet" cards and make holiday gift donations that will be sent to troops overseas.

--- At 1 p.m. today, at Friendship Elementary School in the Southern School District, local Coast Guardsmen Chief Petty Officer Larry Beatty and Petty Officer Brian Badami will talk to the fifth- and sixth-graders about etiquette when handling the U.S. flag. There also will be a demonstration of how to properly handle, fold and store it. The Glen Rock chapter of the American Legion has been invited to attend and honor York County veterans.--- VFW Post 8951 and Long & Foster Real Estate are collecting donations for care packages that will be sent to troops overseas. Wanted items include: pre-packaged nonperishable food items, toiletries, powdered drinks and comfort items such as foot powder, gel insoles, fluffy towels, eye drops, batteries, sunblock, stamps, calling cards and disposable cameras.

Donations will be accepted at Long & Foster offices at 1770 E. Market St. For more information, call 757-2300.

--- And at 10 a.m. Thursday, ground will be broken for the Veterans Memorial Gold Star Healing and Peace Garden in York's Veteran's Memorial Park. It will honor those have served the country, especially those currently serving overseas. For more information, visit goldstargarden.com

--- At 1 p.m. Saturday, the Court of Valor will be dedicated in the veteran's section of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Manchester Township. The centerpiece of the court will be a black granite arch, with the names of 162 county veterans who have been awarded medals of valor. Set in the arch's lintel will be a 10-foot piece of I-beam from the World Trade Center.