A benefit dance and silent auction will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, to raise money for a ceremony the following week to honor local veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The dance Saturday will run from 7 p.m. to midnight in The Leopold Ballroom, 1224 Cornwall Ave., and will feature country western performer Keith LaBounty. A $10 donation is requested; there will be a cash bar. The fundraiser is organized by American Legion Post 154 in Ferndale.

On Dec. 15, the post and Hempler Foods Group are hosting a "Welcome Home" event to honor Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and also local "gold star" mothers, those who have lost a son or daughter in war. That event starts at 2 p.m. in Syre Auditorium, Whatcom Community College.

Doris Kent, the mother of U.S. Army Cpl. Jonathan Santos, who was killed in 2004 while serving in Iraq, will be keynote speaker. There also will be music by the Ferndale High School band, bagpipe players, a combined church choir, other speakers and informational materials from veterans' service representatives.

After the event, a free, public reception with hamburgers, beer and rock 'n' roll by Pickle Toss will be held at Bellingham Cruise Terminal, in Fairhaven. RSVPs for the reception at requested at 360-366-5808.

Reach DEAN KAHN at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2291.