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The Southern Alabama Veterans Ball, an evening dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifices of U.S. military veterans, will be held on Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. in Andalusia. Organized by a committee of veterans from Alabama American Legion Posts No. 24 (Greenville), No. 2020 (Fort Deposit) and No. 80 (Andalusia), as well as the Butler County Alabama Veterans Association, the event promises a night of music, dining and dancing.

“It’s going to be an incredible, elegant evening filled with ceremony,” said event Chairman Ray VanCor. “Dining, dancing and an open bar. We’ve got an incredible guest speaker…”

The guest speaker, David Michael Edwards, a 22-year Army veteran who served 18 years with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, brings an impressive military background. During his career, Edwards deployed to combat 18 times and conducted over 5,000 military free fall jumps.

The event includes a steak dinner catered by Big Mike’s Steakhouse, a charcuterie and dessert table and an open bar. Attendance is limited to veterans and their families. For tickets, visit saveteransball.com or contact 334-362-0456.

Preceding the ball, a Veterans Holiday Fair will take place Friday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fair is open to the public.

Local veteran Nathaniel Foster hopes to attend and says that any event that brings awareness to veterans and their needs is a worthy cause. 

“There are a lot of veterans with physical and mental disabilities,” Foster said. “The resources that are out there can be hard to navigate. Events like these can help draw attention to that, raise funding and forge connections to help them get the help they need.”