NATCHEZ — Saturday is Armed Forces Day — a day set aside for the nation to honor men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

In honor of the occasion, Sports Center of Natchez will host an Armed Forces Day at the store, 305 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sports Center will provide lunch for veterans and their families and the Mississippi Army National Guard will have a mobile entertainment trailer for children and adults set up, said Chip Sturdivant, Sports Center athletic manager.

The store also will have military discounts and giveaways throughout the event and representatives from Point Man International Ministries, Patriot Guard riders, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives will be on hand.

“We will, weather permitting, display a 20-foot by 30-foot American flag displayed from a crane,” said Doug McCallister Vietnam Army veteran, who is associated with Point Man Ministries.

McCallister also will be collecting donations for an 80-percent scale replica Vietnam Memorial Wall that is being planned for the Vidalia riverfront.

McCallister said Point Man International Ministries/Miss-Lou is a veterans ministry for veterans by veterans and is available to help veterans and their families. The organization operates a crisis line that is available 24-hours per day, seven days per week and that veterans answer all of the calls.

McCallister and Sturdivant both emphasized that Saturday’s event will not only be fun but also important to support men and women of the armed forces.

“Too much tribute cannot be paid to our flag,” McCallister said. “In recent times there have been people who want to disrespect our flag and national anthem. Millions of people who made the supreme sacrificed served under that flag and should be respected at every opportunity.”