GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — More than 100 military members will be in downtown Grand Rapids Friday for the inaugural Armed Forces Thanksgiving.

The goal of the event is to strengthen awareness and dialogue on the contributions our military personnel have made and continue to make.

A student rally will be held in Rosa Parks Circle from 10:30-11:15 a.m. where students and the community will have an opportunity to see military vehicles and combat gear up-close.

The main event is a luncheon at the Amway Grand Plaza where retired Navy Admiral and former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Eric T. Olson will provide the keynote address during the sold out event.

The first Navy SEAL ever to be appointed to three-star and four-star flag rank, Adm. Olson was the head of Special Operations Command during the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

“I had the great opportunity to serve for a lot of years. I served with great people and a number of different places, a lot of them are veterans now and some are still on active duty and if I can do something to pay tribute back to them for the great service they provided I’m happy to do it,” said Adm. Olson.

———-Online:Armed Forces Thanksgiving