Scott Ragain has long wanted to recognize area veterans and “do something meaningful” for Veterans Day. After four months of meticulous planning, Ragain’s efforts have culminated in the first annual Veterans Day Speakers Series, which will be held early next month in Arnold.

“I’m all about local. That’s what really floats my boat. One of the reasons I wanted to have the event at the Rickman in Arnold is because of the small town feel — they really acknowledge their veterans there and support their veterans in that town, in that Jefferson County community,” Ragain said.

In addition to recognition, education is the cornerstone of this event. To do just that, John C. McManus and George Luz, Jr. will be this year’s speakers. McManus — an award-winning military historian and author specializing in 20th and 21st-century military combat history — has appeared on CNN, C-SPAN, the Military Channel, the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, Netflix, the Smithsonian Network, the History Channel and PBS. Luz is the son of  George Luz, Sr., a member of the famed Easy Company during WWII.

“You couldn’t find two better speakers on the topic than the ones we have this year. They’re particularly gifted,” Ragain said.

Though the Veterans Day Speakers Series is open to the entire community, Ragain emphasized the importance of youth attendance.

“It’s important to me that … we have a lot of high school students to show up because they need to hear these types of things from these types of credible people. That is really important, especially around Veterans Day,” he said. “Getting that information out there, with regard to events that showcase the bravery of these people, the sacrifices that they made, the period of history and context when they served — I think all of that’s really important.”

The inaugural Veterans Day Speakers Series will be held on Nov. 4 in Arnold’s Rickman Auditorium, located at 747 JeffCo Blvd., at 7 p.m. Adult tickets cost $15, while high school students can attend for free.