PARIS — State Rep. Jim Hamper, R-Oxford, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day observance on Friday.

“He’s always right there no matter what the veterans do,” said Master of Ceremonies Jason M. Turgeon, commander, Anderson/Staples Legion Post 112.

Hamper will deliver his speech as part of the Veterans Day service at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School at 11 a.m.

“We really wanted to line them right up,” Turgeon said of the decision to hold the service at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011.

“We really wanted to pay tribute to that,” he said of the coinciding hour day, month and year.

Veterans, family and friends are being asked to participate in the annual ceremony sponsored by Anderson/Staples American Legion Post 112 that will be held in the auditorium of the high school.

Turgeon will welcome participants before the posting of the colors by the Post Color Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop/Pack 196.

The pledge will be followed by the national anthem played by the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School band and the invocation by the Rev. Rick Kimball.

The high school band will also play “God Bless America,” followed by a video presentation.

The service will end with a benediction by Kimball.

Refreshments will be served outside the auditorium after the ceremonies have been completed.

ldixon@sunjournal.com