By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

Those who served their country during wartime and those wishing to honor their service will have plenty of options Wednesday for deciding how to spend their Veterans Day.

Throughout northwest Kansas, communities will be hosting commemorative events aimed at honoring the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend the rights of others in America and abroad.

In Hays, VFW Post 9076, 22nd and Vine, will hold its annual tribute festivities. Music will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the service starting at 11.

Making a repeat appearance will be Jim Spiess, a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps now working with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wichita, who spoke at last year's Veterans Day ceremony.

A Hays native, Spiess said it is a pleasure to return home and give other veterans the recognition they deserve.

"Having had the privilege of serving in the military ... I find it a beautiful day," he said. "I always find it just real memorable."

Fort Hays State University also will host a Veterans Day tribute open to those on campus and in the community.

Coordinated by Tigers in Service and the American Democracy Project, two student-run organizations within the Center for Civic Leadership, the Fort Hays State University service also begins at 11 a.m. at the rose garden in the university quad.

A moment of silence will begin the ceremony, after which the group will move to the war memorial between Picken and Sheridan halls and place a wreath.

"I just hope that everyone is able to join us and celebrate the services that have been provided to us," said Chantelle Arnold, CCL director of program operations.

The Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in WaKeeney will hold its sixth annual program on Wednesday.

A ceremony for the proper disposal of unserviceable flags will immediately follow.

Approximately 140 veterans and their spouses are laid to rest in the state-operated cemetery, said manager Heidi Goff, whose father and grandfather both served in the military.

The Veterans Day service is one of the biggest events of the year for the cemetery, along with Memorial Day and the Wreaths Across America ceremony in December, in which specially made wreaths are placed on veterans' graves.

Starting at 11:11 a.m. will be the fourth annual Veterans Day parade in Oakley.

It will begin at Oakley High School, 118 West Seventh, and move down Center Ave.

Kensington also will hold a parade, but on Saturday, Nov. 14.

More information is available by contacting Jim Struckoff at (785) 476-2825.