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The Michael D. Johnson Foundation took time to say thank you to local veterans during their 11th annual foundation.

Johnson, who is a retired NFL player with the Cincinnati Bengals, said this is something he wanted to do to recognize them and let them know they are appreciated.

“Going into the military, that’s, that’s a major sacrifice that they’ve made that people are still making today,” Johnson said. “So we’re just thankful for them and just want them to know that we appreciate them and their service to their country.”

The event featured keynote speaker Lee Tate, a personal friend of Johnson’s father. Veterans also received a full breakfast with scrambled eggs, breakfast meats and fruit.

Johnson said that his father, who passed in October of last year, was a Purple Heart recipient in the U.S. Marines Corps and served in Vietnam. They continue to do this breakfast in honor of him.

“He was very big on military service to the country,” Johnson said. “We just wanted to have opportunity for these men and women to come out and be recognized. It is just a small token of our appreciation.”

Johnson said he also wanted to support veterans by giving them access to veterans affairs services.

“We’re thankful for the partners that come out and help because that’s super important as well,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of veterans out here that may not know about what things are available to them. So we just try and do our part to not only honor them, but also help inform them on some resources that may be available for them.”