GROVETOWN, Ga. () – Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and NFL player, was in Columbia County on Wednesday to celebrate local military members and veterans at the annual Military Appreciation Executive Luncheon.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont Augusta and other local chambers and veterans associations hosted the event at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown on June 18. The annual luncheon recognizes the sacrifice of the men and women who serve.

“There are a lot of veterans in the country without homes. There’s a suicide epidemic. I mean, there is a lot of issues in the veteran community. There’s also a lot of organizations and resources out there that are trying to help, it’s just making sure they get connected to them,” said Boyer, who is also the co-founder of Merging Vets and Players. “If you know somebody that is transitioning out, if you know veterans, making sure they’re plugged in, ’cause we’re resistant to it. A lot of us, we don’t, we don’t feel like we deserve it, or we don’t want to ask for help. It’s a very common thing in the vet community, but the reality is we deserve it and you did earn it.”

Event organizers said Wednesday’s luncheon is the least they can to say thanks.

Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps