Area veterans will be honored during a ceremony Friday.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143, in conjunction with the city of Cumming, will hold the ceremony at 11 a.m. by the city’s Veterans War Memorial.

VFW member Richard Knight said the Veterans Day event usually draws about 200 to 300 people.

"It’s always a pretty good turnout," Knight said. "It’s a patriotic day and good for young kids to come out and see."

On the event’s agenda is a welcome by Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, the singing of the national anthem, posting of the colors and a keynote address by retired U.S. Army Col. Peter Rodda.

The day will also feature music and readings by Forsyth Central’s Flash of Crimson band, Boy Scout Troop 245, Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth and Forsyth Christian Home Educators Learning Cooperative.

"When I talk to other veterans, they tell me they most enjoy the performances by the children," Knight said.

Knight, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, will serve as emcee of the event, something he called "an honor."

"It’s also an honor for me to be a veteran and be part of a great organization like the VFW," he added.

Knight also appreciates Cumming’s help in putting on the Veterans Day ceremony each year.

"The city and the mayor do a great job of supporting our veterans," he said.

He encouraged all veterans and their families, as well as anyone just interested in honoring veterans for their service, to attend the event.

"Please be there," he said. "This is the one opportunity veterans get to put on their own program. It’s our chance to celebrate ourselves and make others aware of the needs of veterans."