The first female general in Alabama National Guard history will serve as the guest speaker at Selma’s annual Veterans Day Program Monday at 11 a.m.

The program, which is held at Memorial Stadium, is the community’s way of recognizing the country’s veterans.

Gen. Sheryl Gordon, who is the first female general in the Alabama National Guard and a Selma native, will give the event’s main address.

“She asked me what I wanted her to talk about, and I told her to give the female perspective of being in the military,” Jesse Sanchez, American Legion Post 20 commanding officer, said. The post organizes the Veteran’s Day event each year.

Sanchez said women’s role in the military has evolved, and it’s important to highlight that during the ceremony.

“They used to just be the nurses for the military,” he said. “Now the females are involved with more than just general support and direct support. They are also involved in combat.”

The ceremony will also include a national anthem performance from the Selma High School Band, a presentation of the colors by the Concordia College ROTC and more.

Sanchez said Selma Mayor George Evans, Orrville Mayor Louvenia Lumpkin and Dallas County Probate Judge Kimbrough Ballard are scheduled to attend the program.

Sanchez said it’s important to honor former and active service personnel everyday, not just Veterans Day.

“We need to show respect to them at every opportunity we have,” he said. “I think [veterans] should be remembered from every walk of life.”

Sanchez said the community should take advantage of the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifices veterans have made to maintain their freedom.

“We need to pay honor to those who have made everything we have possible,” Sanchez said. “I think we need to remember how far we have come.”