In observance of Veterans Week, Hogan Family YMCA will host the seventh annual Veterans Prayer Breakfast on Nov. 5.

The color guard with Bob Jones AFROTC participated in the 2011 Veterans Prayer Breakfast. (Photo contributed)

For each paid ticket, a veteran, soldier or deployed soldier’s spouse will be admitted free. Child care will open at 7 a.m. with the breakfast to follow at 7:30 a.m., Mary Anne Swanstrom said. She works as director of communications for Heart of the Valley YMCA.

“Additionally, the YMCA will celebrate our local heroes by offering free admission to veterans and those with military ID during the week of Nov. 5-12 at the southeast and downtown YMCAs in Huntsville and the Hogan Family YMCA in Madison,” Swanstrom said.

Speakers will include Maj. Gen. Lynn Collyar, Col.Scott R. Carson, and Rev. John Ryberg of Asbury United Methodist Church. The Army Materiel Command Brass Quintet and vocalist Lee Marshall will perform.

“As the first event of Veterans Week, the breakfast adopts the theme ‘Courage, Sacrifice and Duty, Honoring our Military Veterans,'” Swanstrom said.

“The purpose of the YMCA Veterans Prayer Breakfast is to let our military heroes, both those who have served previously and those currently serving know how much they are cherished,” retired Brig. Gen. Bob Drolet said. He is serving as breakfast chairman. “We also include their families in recognizing the sacrifices they continue to make every day to keep our country free.”

“This is one way we say ‘thank you’ to our military men and women who serve our country and to their families who support them,” Heart of the Valley YMCA President/CEO Scott Mounts said.

As part of Heart of the Valley’s ongoing commitment to supporting the total family, the Y offers free membership to soldiers before and after deployment. Northrop Grumman Corporation sponsors YMCA Military Outreach during November.

Individual tickets are $20, and reserved tables are $200. For advance tickets, send email to events@ymcahuntsville.org or visit ymcahuntsville.org. For more information, call 256-428-9622.