CAMP BLANDING – Robert Hilliard was just 18 when he trained at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center 82 years ago. Now 101, the U.S. Army veteran plans to return to the sprawling camp on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to join the festivities for Veterans Day.

A year after finishing boot camp, Hilliard was assigned to the 36^th Infantry Division, and he joined the European theater shortly after D-Day.

He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and he earned a Purple Heart Medal after he was wounded several times. While in the military, Hilliard was asked to start an Army newspaper. His first assignment was to cover a concert being performed by concentration camp survivors at St. Ottilien. He discovered horrific conditions, and his report prompted changes in camp conditions.

After the Army, he returned home and earned two Masters degrees and his Doctorate in Journalism. He used that knowledge to write as many as 45 books and plays, including “Surviving the Americans: The Continued Struggle of the Jews After Liberation” and “The Broadcast Century: A Biography of America Broadcasting.”

Hilliard will return to where his professional life started on an early on February morning in 1944 to join hundreds of veterans, reservists and community members for the Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Family Day.

Opening remarks, including keynote speaker Superintendent David Broskie, whose father also trained at Camp Blanding, will start at 11 a.m. Afterward, the festivities at the camp’s military museum will include several veteran and military themed booths, tour of the museum, photo opportunities with the large and diverse collection of military equipment and hot dogs and hamburgers at World War II prices.

All are invited to the free event, and the first 100 guests will receive a free T-shirt.

With more than 30,000 veterans in the county, Clay will host several Veteran’s Day events on or around Nov. 11, like:

• Winn-Dixie stores in Orange Park, Middleburg and Lake Asbury will give veterans and active-duty personnel an 11% discount.

• The Heroes and Holiday’s Tougher Than You Think 5K with Santa’s arrival is scheduled for Nov. 14 from 8-10 a.m. at the Orange Park Mall. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/FL/OrangePark.

• Golden Corral and Grill at 582 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park will provide free buffets and drinks (dine-in only) to veterans with ID from 4 p.m. to close.

• Metro Diner at 2034 Kingsley Dr. in Orange Park is offering a 50% discount on meals (dine-in only) for veterans and active-duty members with a valid ID.

• Scooters will offer free medium drinks with a valid license.

• Bob Evans at 3163 Hartley Dr. in Jacksonville near Interstate 295 will serve veterans a free meal (dine-in only).

• Chili’s at 2005 East-West Pkwy. on Fleming Island and 1664 Wells Road in Orange Park will serve free meals (dine-in only) to all veterans and active-duty soldiers.

• Chipotle at 1607 County Road 220 in Orange Park, 1680 Blanding Blvd. in Middleburg and 876 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park will give veterans free chips and a choice between guacamole, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase.

• Veterans with an ID can get free medium hot or iced coffee.

• Denny’s at 8409 Blanding Blvd. will serve a free original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon.

• Einstein Bros. Bagels at 1581 County Road 220 on Fleming Island and 410 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park will give veterans a free bagel with shmear and coffee.

• Firehouse Subs at 1581 County Road 220 on Fleming Island, 2640 Blanding Blvd. and 1690 Jeremiah St., both in Middleburg, and 2285 Kingsley Ave. in Orange Park will sell subs at buy one, get one to veterans.

• LongHorn Steakhouse at 1605 County Road 220 on Fleming Island and 6015 Argyle Forest Blvd, in Argyle will offer a 10% discount on meals, plus a free appetizer or dessert.