Happy Veterans Day, Mehlville and Oakville!

Veterans Day "originated as 'Armistice Day' on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I, according to the U.S. Census website. This Veterans Day is the first since the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Civil Air Patrol units in the greater St. Louis area are kicking off their annual Wreaths Across America campaign this Veterans' Day weekend to honor and remember our country's veterans during the upcoming holiday season.

Wreaths will be placed on the graves of veterans at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary on Dec. 15 during a ceremony officiated by Lt. Col. David Miller of the Civil Air Patrol's Missouri Wing. To sponsor a wreath, go to the Wreaths Across America website or call 877-385-9504. Remember, you can designate where the wreaths should be laid in the community.

The Fight Continues, a service project founded by veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, will host readings across Missouri, including here in South County, where they will read the names of ever fallen soldier from the birth of the U.S.

Saturday, St. Louisans gathered downtown to honor veterans at the annual Veteran's Day Parade, and afterwards, veterans and supporters celebrated at Gateway Harley-Davidson in Mehlville.

Were you at yesterday's parade? Upload your photos by clicking the green 'upload' button in this article.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, falls on a Sunday this year. That means some city offices, services and local businesses will be closed Sunday, while others will be closed Monday.

Most stores and other businesses will be open. See a list of local businesses and restaurants offering freebies and discounts to veterans.

Mehlville School District schools will run as normal Monday.

Veterans Day is recognized as a federal holiday, which means all non-essential federal offices will be closed.