BATH — The Inn on Bath Creek is carving out some time to honor veterans next month.

For the third year, the bed and breakfast will welcome veterans and their families to stay at the inn free for a night in honor of Veterans Day, coming up Nov. 11. It’s part of the nationwide B&Bs for Vets program, and the inn is already booked up, according to owner Maree Benson.

The Inn on Bath Creek is one of seven bed-and-breakfast locations participating in North Carolina, and the only one in Beaufort County.

Although the inn is booked up for the free night’s stay, Benson and other ladies living in the town are also organizing a breakfast for Bath veterans only on Veterans Day — a spontaneous event Benson spearheaded last year, walking door to door in search of veterans.

Last year’s breakfast saw about 18 veterans in Bath stop by for a visit and a meal. Benson said there were some Korean War veterans, but the majority served in the Vietnam War.

“The vets really enjoyed swapping war stories … because we’re all going to try to one-up each other. That’s just how we are,” said owner Dale Benson, who served for 30 years in the United States Navy. “The town, when they found out about it, was very, very appreciative, you know, because nobody’s ever done anything like that.”

Maree Benson said it was striking to her when she was told how appreciative the Vietnam vets were in particular, as they sometimes feel lost in the shuffle.

“We’ve had tremendous interest. The first two years it’s been absolutely wonderful,” Benson said. “This year, I’m a little more organized, and I’m not starting at the last minute.”

Benson said she is glad that the ladies of the town are on board to help this time around, and she couldn’t do it without their help. She also hopes other towns will be inspired to participate in the B&Bs for Vets program.

“We’re just trying to give back. There’s nothing fancy about it,” she said. “It’s a way for innkeepers to give back to the servicemen and women.”

Benson added: “It’s a simple gesture of ‘thank you for all you’ve done.’”

The breakfast for Bath veterans only will take place Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the Inn on Bath Creek, 116 S. Main St., Bath. For more information about B&Bs for Vets, visit bandbsforvets.org.