Northside Baptist Church will hold a very large veterans celebration Wednesday, featuring retired Air Force Maj. Gen. A. Bowen Ballard.

“This is open to all veterans and their families,” said the Rev. Kenny Hatcher, pastor of the church.

Ballard has more than 37 years of experience with the Air Force on key assignments. He was assistant chief of staff in the intelligence headquarters for the Air Force at the Pentagon on active duty; mobilization assistant to the commander at the Air University Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery; special assistant for intelligence to the commander of Air Force Space Command, among others.

He was involved with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the U.S. European Command for many years.

While assigned to the Pentagon, he successfully directed the only major reorganization of the Air Force Intelligence Reserves in 20 years.

Along with the program featuring Ballard as guest speaker, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., Northside Baptist is hosting a Veterans Memorial Blood Drive at the church from 3 until 7:30 p.m.