Tuscan Brands has a free Veterans Day meal every year. In Massachusetts, it's happening between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Tuscan Kitchen Seaport and Tuscan Sea Grill & Bar in Newburyport. Reservations are required - click here for more information.

As Veterans Day approaches, residents across Massachusetts are preparing to celebrate servicemembers with parades, remembrances, deals and more. The holiday, originally known as Armistice Day marking the end of World War I before its name was changed in 1954,

Expect a chilly start to Tuesday with wind chills dropping temperatures into the upper teens and 20s by daybreak. These will be the coldest temperatures of the season, so make sure to dress warmly if you are attending any Veterans Day events.

A Parade Kick-off ceremony will take place at the War Veterans Monument in upper Kennedy Park at 12:30 p.m. The Veterans Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m. from Kennedy Park and proceed north on South Main Street to Fall River Government Center.

Veterans from four Massachusetts towns are expected to be honored at a newly expanded celebration planned for noon on Nov. 9 at the Whitman VFW Hall.

The Westfield Veterans Council is seeking participants in the city’s Veterans Day parade and ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 “to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose,” said the first Veterans Day proclamation by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Government offices, libraries, and banks will be closed for the federal holiday, while most retailers will be open.

The U.S. Army posthumously awarded three Bronze Star Medals this week to World War II veterans from Charlestown, honoring their heroism and sacrifice ahead of Veterans Day.