Veterans Day on Cape Ann: Gloucester's ceremony and parade, services in Rockport and Manchester, and a soup and cereal drive

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. Gloucester holds a full morning of events, and the American Legion posts in Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea hold their own services. A food drive to help veterans and local families starts Monday. There is no school Nov. 11 in Gloucester, Manchester or Essex.

Gloucester

Cape Ann Veterans Services, the City of Gloucester, the United Veterans Council and the Vietnam Veterans Committee invite the public to events across the city. The office's invitation lists this schedule and says all times are approximate.

• 9 a.m.: Main ceremony. Gloucester High School auditorium.
• 10:30 a.m.: Parade. It leaves Gloucester High School and goes to American Legion Square.
• 11 a.m.: Wreath laying and luncheon. The United Veterans Council lays an Armistice wreath at American Legion Square. A luncheon follows, hosted by the Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3.
• Noon: Vietnam Veterans service. At the Vietnam Memorial, with the Vietnam Committee.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I fighting on Nov. 11, 1918.

The notices do not list road closures for the parade. The office's flyer names the 11 a.m. stop as the Joan of Arc Monument and Legion Post 3, while the city's invitation says American Legion Square. To check the place, call the office at 978-325-5730.

Rockport

The Rockport American Legion Edward Peterson Post 98 invites veterans, families and friends to a Veterans Day celebration at the post, 32 Beach St., at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Manchester-by-the-Sea

The Manchester American Legion, Amaral-Bailey Post 113, holds a service inside the post at 14 Church St. at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. All are invited, and refreshments follow. The post's phone number is 978-526-4591. The post also holds a Veterans Coffee Social every Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m.

Salute and Serve soup and cereal drive

Cape Ann Veterans Services and The Open Door are collecting nonperishable soup and cereal. The flyer says the food supports local families and veterans.

• Nov. 2 to 6: Drop off soup and cereal at the Cape Ann Veterans Services office, 12 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, during regular business hours. The city lists them as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.
• Nov. 11: Bring donations to the Gloucester High School entrance between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Donors are welcome to stay for the ceremony.

That evening: Fish Tales, Veterans

The Gloucester Writers Center presents "Fish Tales: Veterans, What It Means, What It Meant," a night of true stories told live. It starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Gloucester Stage. Tickets are $25 at gloucesterstage.com, and more information is at gloucesterwriters.org. See it on the events calendar.

More ways to help

• Sailing for Veterans fundraiser, Friday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m. Cape Ann Lanes and Laneside Pub and Brewery, 53 Gloucester Ave., Gloucester. For all of November, money from every Semper beer sold goes to Sailing for Veterans, according to the office's flyer. About Sailing for Veterans.
• Coat drive. Together Gloucester, Inc. and the office are collecting new or lightly used coats for Operation Keep Gloucester Warm. Coats should be clean, with working zippers and no rips or tears. New hats, gloves or mittens, long underwear, scarves and wool socks are also needed, and money gifts are welcome. Drop items at the office during regular hours. The office's Oct. 8 post lists no end date.

Help for veterans

Cape Ann Veterans Services helps veterans find assistance and apply for benefits. It is at 12 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, and the phone number is 978-325-5730.

If you are a veteran in crisis, or you are worried about one, call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and open 24 hours a day, and you do not need to be signed up for VA health care to use it.

Earlier coverage: Cape Ann Veterans Services office closed Monday through Wednesday for staff training (Oct. 17), the office's last public notice.