GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The 11th annual Armed Forces Thanksgiving luncheon will take place Friday, May 15, at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.
It salutes local U.S. military members.
U.S. Air Force veteran Mike Fassbender was a guest on West Michigan's Morning News. He told WOOD Radio it takes some sacrifice to serve in the military.
"My advice would be, if you are interested in serving your country, and you're able to listen and take direction, and as you grow and mature and learn more, then you can start to give direction. But I think there's a certain amount of sacrifice that you have to be willing to deal with," Fassbender said.
The Armed Forces Thanksgiving organizers donate each year to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition, so it can connect veterans and their families to available services and resources.
Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell will be the keynote speaker at this year's luncheon event.