ALTAMONT — Veterans of recent wars — World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the modern-day wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — will be honored Saturday at the Altamont fairgrounds. A half-century after America began fighting in Vietnam, a group of Vietnam veterans is planning a fire that will light up the night.

The Capital District chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America hopes, said chapter president Ray Sestak of Glenmont, that this will become an annual event.

The symbolic “watchfire,” or very large ceremonial bonfire, is meant to honor all of those lost in United States military conflicts. The watchfire will also serve as a respectful way to dispose of a large number of worn or damaged United States flags.

Admission to the event is free, and everyone is welcome. Visitors are also welcome to bring worn flags with them for proper disposal.       

Gates will open at noon, and there will be activities for kids that include bounce houses; face painting; and Lowe’s workshops in which kids make objects such as birdhouses.  

Lowe’s and Sears will both have representatives on hand to help veterans fill out job applications.

There will be large educational displays on all of the U.S. military conflicts from World War II on.

Jack Pollard, who, with his wife, owns the Home Front Café in Altamont, will also display some of his military vehicles and smaller items. Military memorabilia from the New York National Guard will also be shown.

At 4 p.m. the American Legion Riders, Helderberg Post 977 will post the colors and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany will perform the national anthem. This will be followed by a reading of the names of all of the service members from Albany County and the surrounding counties who were killed in conflicts from World War II up to the present day.

At 5 p.m., Vietnam veteran Dr. John Ebersole, president of Excelsior College, will speak. The Gold Star Mothers — a group of mothers and family members of service members killed in recent conflicts. 

The Patriot Riders of New York will then conduct a ceremonial burning of a single flag, near the stage.

This is in keeping with the U.S. Flag Code, which states that any flag that is “no longer a fitting emblem for display” — meaning a flag that is worn or damaged — should be destroyed “in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

At 6 p.m., the Altamont and Guilderland fire departments will ignite the watchfire, which will consist of a huge pile of pallets donated by manufacturer IFCO. Within those pallets will be hundreds of flags properly folded and tucked in.

This event, to be held rain or shine, is hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Capital District Chapter 8, with support from iHeart Media and the management and staff of the Altamont Fair.