A "Welcome Home" event to honor Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and local "gold star" mothers who have lost a son or daughter in war will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, at Whatcom Community College.

The event hosted by American Legion Post 154 in Ferndale and by Hempler Foods Group starts at 2 p.m. in Syre Auditorium.

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.

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