MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Across the Monadnock Region, communities will come together Wednesday to honor local veterans, reflect on the meaning of military service and ensure the contributions of those who served are not forgotten.

From Keene and Swanzey to Peterborough, Rindge and Jaffrey, residents will have several opportunities to recognize veterans, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and show appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families.

In Keene, the day’s activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Monadnock Food Co-op, 34 Cypress St., where complimentary coffee and pastries will be available to community members while supplies last. Visitors will also have an opportunity to chat with members of the Co-op’s Board of Directors.

The community’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will follow at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Garden at the Keene Parks and Recreation Center, 312 Washington St. Organized by the Keene Veterans Council, the ceremony will recognize local veterans and their service to the country.

American Legion Post 4 will host its annual Veterans Day luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. at the post, located at 797 Court St. The luncheon will follow the city’s ceremony.

In Peterborough, activities will begin earlier in the morning with a remembrance service at 9 a.m. at All Saints Church, 51 Concord St. Coffee and doughnuts will be served afterward in the church parlor.

At approximately 10:35 a.m., participants in the town’s Veterans Day parade will assemble in front of Bellows-Nichols Insurance at 10 Main St. The group will then gather across the street at the Main Street Bridge for the Sea Service before proceeding up Main Street.

The parade will continue to the Peterborough Town House, accompanied by the South Meadow School Band. The band will perform a program along with the American Heritage Girls. The event will take place rain or shine.

Swanzey residents can attend a Veterans Day ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. in front of the veterans monument in West Swanzey.

Boy and Girl Scouts will participate in the honors, while Civil Air Patrol cadets will parade the colors. Swanzey resident James Wall, who leads the Marine Corps League in Brattleboro, will serve as the event’s speaker.

A lunch reception will follow in the social hall of the Community Church of West Swanzey, with church members preparing the meal. If weather conditions are unfavorable, the ceremony will move indoors to the church.

The event is organized by American Legion Post 84 in Swanzey.

In Rindge, Cathedral of the Pines will hold its annual Veterans Day service from 10:45 a.m. until noon at the historic memorial site, 10 Hale Hill Road. The service is being held in collaboration with the Rindge Veterans Association and offers another opportunity for the community to gather in remembrance and appreciation of military service.

Jaffrey will also have a full day of Veterans Day activities, beginning with a parade organized by John Humiston American Legion Post 11, VFW Post 5613 and the town of Jaffrey.

Veterans and current military members are invited to assemble at Jaffrey Grade School at 10:15 a.m. The parade will step off at 10:40 a.m. and proceed to the town common, where a prayer will be offered, a wreath will be laid and the national anthem will be performed by Conant High School students Eloise Langille and Amaris Ebe.

Navy veteran Bob Schaumann will deliver the address. Anyone needing transportation to participate in the parade can contact Marc Tieger at 603-532-8765.

Following the parade, The Park Theatre will continue its Veterans Day observance with a free screening of the 1963 World War II classic The Great Escape.

The movie begins at noon in the Michael B. King Auditorium at the theater, 19 Main St. Free pizza and soda will be available to veterans and current military members beginning at 11:15 a.m.

Starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and Charles Bronson, the film follows Allied prisoners of war who devise an ambitious escape plan after being transferred to a German prison camp considered escape-proof. Based on a true story, the movie remains one of the best-known cinematic portrayals of World War II prison camp escapes.

Admission is free for everyone, but advance reservations are encouraged because seating is limited to 55 people.