from staff
The day before the City’s “Week of Valor” wraps up with the annual Veterans Day parade, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce held its 7th annual Military Appreciation Luncheon at the Osborn Center.
Hundreds of current military personnel, veterans, reservists, their families, local business leaders and elected officials attended the event.
Chamber Chair Mike Hightower, a veteran himself, welcomed everyone. The veterans in attendance included those who were involved in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Cold War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Hightower also pointed out that Tuesday marked the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps.
The keynote speaker was (Ret.) Adm. Robert Natter of the United States Navy. Today, Natter is also president of R.J. Natter & Associates.
According to the Chamber, the military has an annual economic impact on the community of $6.1 billion and the area’s Navy bases employ more than 56,000 people with a combined payroll of almost $1.6 billion.