ESCANABA — Friday morning at 11:00 a.m., communities across the country will hold ceremonies to honor those who fought for the nation’s freedom, but one group got an early start Thursday.

The American Legion Tony Revord Post 244 in Powers teamed up with Bay College in Escanaba for the second year in a row to present a special Veterans Day event to students and visitors. Instead of being solely a traditional ceremonial event, the program focused on educating those in attendance on issues that Veterans face on a daily basis. This year, a big portion of the conversation focused on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

“One of the goals that we hope to accomplish is not only recognition and encouraging an appreciation in our younger folk for the Veterans in their community, but an understanding of really what is involved in protecting the rights and the freedoms that they enjoy in this great country of ours,” said Wendy Sexton, Commander of the American Legion Tony Revord Post and Vice Commander of the 11th District of the American Legion.

“I hope we give them something to talk about and discuss among themselves,” Bill Hafeman, Co-chairman of the Veterans Day Program, added. “I just feel that we’ll be able to give them an insight more about what’s going on in the Veteran community.”

American Legion members will be holding similar presentations for students at the North Central Area Schools on Friday.