POINT PLEASANT — In a continued effort to honor veterans and those who have served in the armed forces, AMVETS Mason County Post #2 is sponsoring Point Pleasant’s Veterans Day parade and celebration.

Dennis Rayburn with AMVETS stated the parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10 on Main Street. It was also stated participation in the parade is free for the public and line-up will begin at 12:30 p.m. on the north end of Main Street, near the Mason County Board of Education office.

Following the parade will be the Celebration of Freedom at the American Legion Post 23, which will also be free to the public. Rayburn stated the celebration will include entertainment, food, door prizes, and a Marine Corps birthday ceremony.

Rayburn discussed AMVETS’ history with the parade, saying the group has sponsored the events since 2006 and plan to continue in the future.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure that the achievements and the service of all veterans are recognized appropriately,” Rayburn said about the parade and celebration. Rayburn continued, saying the celebration is also a chance for veterans to talk to each other and be social and to enjoy themselves.

As well as the parade, Rayburn said he had also been traveling around to various Mason County Schools as a way to help educate students and the community about veterans.

“We do whatever we can,” Rayburn said on their work to help support veterans.

According to the United State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day was first proclaimed on Nov. 11, 1919, by President Woodrow Wilson, but was known then as Armistice Day. Armistice Day was then renamed Veterans Day in 1954, under President Dwight Eisenhower and is always recognized on Nov. 11. If Nov. 11 falls on a Sunday, which is the case for 2012, the following Monday is considered a federal holiday.