Veterans Day was born of Armistice Day, which was established in 1938 to honor veterans of World War I. To expand the remembrance to include all veterans, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed in 1954 that Veterans Day would honor all Americans that served in the armed forces.

Elmhurst American Legion has a rich tradition of honoring its veterans, and has been doing so at the Veterans Memorial at Wilder Park since 1993, the year the Memorial was dedicated. The ceremony this year will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11.

Elmhurst District 205 schools also will recognize Veterans Day. Churchville Middle School, 155 Victory Parkway, will hold a ceremony from 2 to 3:20 p.m. in the gym. Family members and friends who are serving or have served are invited, and students will be asked to sit with their guests on stage. Students also created a wall of tribute for family members who have served.

York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, will hold a free breakfast for veterans in the school cafeteria from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. The breakfast is sponsored by the York Student Council. Reservations can be made by calling (630) 617-2400, Ext. 7285, or e-mailing mmoran@elmhurst205.org.

Hawthorne Student Council is sponsoring a drive to collect items for troops serving overseas. Students ask that the following items be dropped off at the school, 145 W. Arthur St., by Nov. 11: powdered drink mixes for water bottles, peanut M&Ms, hard candy, individual packages of nuts, cookies, microwave popcorn; wet wipes, plastic storage bags, work puzzles and air fresheners. The Elmhurst American Legion will package the donations and send them to our troops.

St. Peters United Church of Christ will hold a Veterans Day dinner program Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will meet in the choir room at 5:30 for patriotic songs, service and inspiring words. Dinner and group sing will follow at 6 p.m. Wear red, white and blue. The church is located at 125 W. Church St.

Join Chicago Zoological Society staff at Brookfield Zoo Nov. 11 for a special recognition ceremony to honor those who have proudly served our nation. The event will feature the placing of a memorial wreath at the zoo's Roosevelt Fountain, a chorus of the National Anthem and a visit by the zoo's bald eagle. Admission to Brookfield Zoo is free on Veterans Day. (A parking fee still applies.) For further information, visit www.CZS.org or call (708) 688-8000.

Send your Veterans Day photos to karenc@patch.com to be posted on Elmhurst Patch.