Each year on November 11, Americans honor all those who have served in the armed forces. Here is the rundown on how Oregon and Southwest Washington communities are celebrating the federal holiday - what's free for veterans, and what's closed for the holiday.

Public transportation: TriMet buses, MAX and WES; C-Tran; and Portland Aerial Tram all follow regular schedules Monday, Nov. 11.

Government offices: Federal offices and courts - closed

Oregon and Washington state offices and courts - closed

Portland parking meters: Free Monday, Nov. 11

Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro regional center - closed

Postal mail (USPS) will not be delivered Monday, Nov. 11, and post offices will be closed

Albany Veterans Day Parade, 2018. Mark Graves/Staff Mark Graves

Community events to honor veterans

Click here for a statewide link to Veterans Day activities around Oregon by city. Below are some of the highlights of Veterans Day parades, ceremonies and events in Portland and Southwest Washington sorted by location.

Albany bills its Veterans Day parade as the biggest west of the Mississippi. The parade begins 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Seventh Avenue Southeast and Pacific Boulevard, marching over the overpass and veering right into the historical Downtown Albany district. The event lasts about two hours. The parade includes bands, youth groups, horses and businesses all marching or riding in support of veterans.

The City of Battle Ground commemorates Veterans Day with a ceremony honoring veterans 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St. Leading the ceremony will be Mayor Mike Dalesandro as the city recognizes all U.S. veterans and active military personnel. The ceremony will include a reading of the names of 31 area men who died in service.

Battle Ground WWII memorial wall

Beaverton’s Veterans Day ceremony will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Bethel Congregational United Church, 5150 S.W. Watson Ave., across from the Veterans Memorial Park. Events include music, guest speakers and a POW/MIA ceremony.

The Hood River Elks offer an annual Veterans Day breakfast event 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Hood River Elks Lodge, 304 Cascade Ave. in Hood River. The community breakfast is free, but donations are requested to benefit area veterans.

Hood River pancake breakfast

Washington County’s annual Veterans Day ceremony is 11 a.m.-noon Monday, Nov. 11, at the Washington County Veterans Memorial, Northeast Veterans Drive at 34th Avenue in Hillsboro. Parking is available at the TriMet Hillsboro Airport MAX station. The event is “rain or shine,” with covered seating available.

Molalla celebrates veterans with student speakers, county commissioners, representatives from U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader’s office, and many veterans in attendance. 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, Molalla River Middle School, 318 Leroy St. Details: 503-829-6133

Ross Hollywood Chapel Veterans Day Parade begins at 9:30 am. Monday, Nov. 11, in the Hollywood District in Portland. The annual parade features marching bands, floats, historic vehicles, small groups, big groups, and plenty of spectators. The parade route is on Northeast Sandy Boulevard between 40th and 48th avenues.

Members of the Tualatin Youth Marines stand at attention before the start of the parade. November 11, 2105 Beth Nakamura/The OregonianLC- The Oregonian

University of Portland Air Force and Army ROTC will conduct a 24-hour vigil in honor of Veterans Day, concluding with a commemoration ceremony 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, at the Praying Hands/Broken Wall Memorial on the campus’s East Quad at 5000 N. Willamette Boulevard.

The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum honors Rainier-area veterans and all who have served noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, on the third floor of Rainier City Hall, 106 West B Street.

The Willamette Master Chorus opens its 35th concert season with its 15th annual veterans concert. “Made in America” will feature music from American folklore, Broadway musicals and popular music. Shows 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, Hudson Hall auditorium, Willamette University 900 State St., Salem. Tickets $20-$30; https://www.willamettemasterchorus.org/concerts.php or by calling 503-580-0406.

Veterans are honored at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, on the grounds of the State Capitol in Salem, with a color guard presentation by North Salem High School JROTC, the playing of “Taps,” the Pledge of Allegiance and other patriotic observances. State Rep. Marty Wilde, of District 11 representing central Lane and Linn counties, will deliver the keynote address at the World War II Memorial.

The 2019 Lough Legacy Veterans Parade hosted by Fort Vancouver begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov, 9. The parade begins at the east end of Officers Row at East Reserve Street. It will head west along Evergreen Boulevard, past Officers Row and Providence Academy into downtown Vancouver. Each year, the parade averages more than 100 parade entries, nearly 2,400 people marching, and more than 5,000 spectators.

The Wilsonville annual observance of Veterans Day includes a ceremony at the Oregon Korean War Memorial in Town Center Park, 29600 Park Place, Wilsonville, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 11. The program includes a welcome from Chuck Lusardi, president Oregon Trail Chapter – Korean War Veterans Association.

Free admission and discounts

National Parks are free on Veterans Day across the country.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport will honor veterans and active duty military personnel with free admission on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. Family members who accompany them to the Aquarium are eligible for a 10% discount.

The Oregon Zoo will mark Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11, by offering free admission for military veterans and active military personnel, as well as family members who accompany them to the zoo. Families of deployed military personnel also will be given free admission.

U.S. Forest Service Day-use recreation fees are waived for veterans in Oregon and Washington on Monday, Nov. 11.

The Oregon Historical Society offers free admission to ALL guests in honor of Veterans Day. The current exhibit is Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II.

Free admission for active military on Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11 at the Portland Japanese Garden. The offer is also extended to military veterans and their families who accompany them on that date. Families of deployed military personnel also will be given free admission.

-- Rosemarie Stein, events@oregonian.com