Veterans Day is Nov. 11, which is Sunday, but events begin Friday with a special Boise Rescue Mission lunch for homeless vets.

Other major events include the annual Veterans Parade “Honoring Those Who Served.” It begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at 10th and Jefferson streets in Downtown Boise.

Korean War vets will be among those honored at an 11 a.m. ceremony Sunday at the Veterans Home in Boise. Boise State University — where more than one in 12 students is a veteran — holds a ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday in Bronco Stadium.

MORE EVENTS:

FRIDAY

Rescue Mission lunch: 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, 607 N. 13th St., Boise. A small number of seats are available at the event honoring veterans transitioning out of homelessness. Judge Timothy Hansen, who oversees the Veterans Court in Ada County, is keynote speaker. Officials will present Navy veteran Jeff Welch with the Veteran of the Year award from the Rescue Mission’s Veterans Ministries Program. RSVP required: 343-2389.

SATURDAY

Annual Veterans Day Parade: “Honoring Those Who Served”: 10 a.m., Downtown Boise, beginning at 10th and Jefferson Streets. The parade includes 10 marching bands from Valley schools, the Boise Highlanders, Miss Idaho on a Marine tank, veterans groups, antique muskets, military units and a giant flag carried by members of the Kuna High School football team. Peter S. Contos, 98, the oldest veteran at the Veterans Home, will participate. Commemorative ceramic coins ($3, $7 for three) to help support next year’s parade will be on sale. Look for a booth at 11th and Jefferson.

Annual Boise Vet Center “Stand Down”: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Boise Vet Center, 2424 Bank Dr., Boise, 342-3612. This drop-in event provides a range of services for homeless vets — everything from haircuts and a hot meal to medical care, dental checkups and references for other services.

Birthday for the Corps: Noon, Idaho State Veterans Home, 320 Collins Rd., Boise. Celebration and cake will mark the 237th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, hosted by the Treasure Valley Marine Corps League.

SUNDAY

Idaho State Veterans Home ceremony: 11 a.m. Public ceremony honors all veterans. Korean War veterans will receive Department of Defense Certificates of Appreciation. Speakers include Col. Jeffery Aebischer, director of staff at the Idaho Air National Guard. Bob Ford from Sen. Mike Crapo’s office will present “Spirit of Freedom” service awards. For more information: 246-8750.

Caldwell Elks Lodge Veterans Day program: 11 a.m., Memorial Wall, 7th and Cleveland streets, Caldwell. Col. Scott Syme, civil affairs, U.S Army Reserves, and others will speak. Music by the Caldwell High School Madrigal Choir and others.

MONDAY

Boise State Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m., Bronco Stadium end zone. Reception follows at the Steuckle Sky Center. Celebration features on-campus and community speakers and a children’s choir from Garfield Elementary School. Lt. Col. Mary Kelly, field medic with the 1st Battalion, 148th Field Artillery and chief nurse for the Idaho Army National Guard, will speak. The public event is free. Parking will be available in the West Stadium lot; enter through South Gate A. For more information about campus veterans events: Erin VanDenburgh, 426-4239, or erinvandenburgh@boisestate.edu.

FREE FOR VETERANS

Applebee’s Restaurant, free meals to veterans on Nov. 11 (7845 W. Emerald St. and 2810 Elder St., Boise).

Metro Express Car Wash, free car washes to veterans on Nov. 11, 1300 W. Front St., Boise.

Famous Dave’s Barbeque, free meal to veterans on Nov. 11, 3510 N. Eagle Road, Meridian.

Olive Garden, free meal for veterans on Nov. 11, 320 N. Milwaukee St., Boise.

Golden Corral Buffet, free meal to veterans on Nov. 12, 8460 W. Emerald St., Boise.

See other giveaways online: themilitarywallet.com. Call ahead to make sure your local branches are participating.