By Blake Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

Veterans don’t always get the credit they deserve for defending their country and putting their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans’ freedoms.

But the MJ-93 Foundation is teaming up with the Selma & Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, Hardee’s and Calhoun Foods to make sure they are appreciated for the sacrifices they have made.

Thomasene Johnson, who helps run the MJ-93 Foundation for her son and NFL player Michael Johnson, said they were looking for a way to honor veterans and decided on a breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 8-9:30 a.m. at Wallace Community College Selma in the Hank Sanders Conference Room.

“It’s just a small way of thanking them for their service for our country,” Johnson said. “Anybody that is a veteran has played their part. They have done something for this country.”

The breakfast is open to any and all veterans in the Selma and Dallas County area, and Sam Johnson, Thomasene’s husband who is a veteran himself, encourages them all to come out.

“I just want all the veterans to come out to the breakfast. It’s going to be very informative, and I think they’ll really enjoy the opportunity to fellowship and just enjoy telling some war stories if they’d like to,” Sam said.

As a Vietnam veteran, Sam know what it is like not to be appreciated. Vietnam veterans were once shunned after coming home.

“I really think it’s something that we as veterans really appreciate knowing that someone appreciates the service that we have rendered to our country, so when someone shows that appreciation we are very grateful,” Sam said.

Sam said he is excited to talk with his fellow veterans.

“It really goes a long way when we know people really care for what we have done,” Sam said.

Veterans can register for the breakfast by calling the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce at 875-7241.