The Hope Center, 429 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem hosted a Veterans Day event, celebrating and recognizing the sacrifices of all veterans. The event was organized by Battle Borne, a veterans support organization, and supported by a Northampton County agency and the Hope Center.

Like all traditional Veterans Day events, there was the pledging to the flag, the beautiful singing of the National Anthem and welcome speeches given outdoors. Entering the building, veterans and civilians felt as if they were visiting someone’s warm and welcoming home. Coffee was brewing, people were busy preparing food, answering questions and showing guests the facility. You could feel everyone smiling behind their masked faces.

Battle Borne team member Justin Wright helped organize the event and had served in the Marines. He served in the same unit, but different times as this year’s community service award recipient, Marine Sgt. Tom Haug. The two were reunited through Battle Borne.

The enthusiasm of Battle Borne founder Chris Yarnell is contagious; his energy unending. Yarnell, a veteran himself, founded Battle Borne to allow veterans with service-related issues to heal and recover in the company of fellow warriors experiencing some of the same concerns.

Yarnell collaborated with Northampton County Drug and Alcohol to create a drop-in center at the Palmer Recovery Center at 2906 William Penn Hwy., Suite 101, Easton. Veterans are encouraged to drop in 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays for intensive case management, mental health or drug and alcohol evaluations, housing assistance, employment assistance, trauma support, and a complete list of veteran support groups. The services are free for veterans.

“If Battle Borne can’t help the vet, we will connect them with someone who can,” Yarnell said. A complete list of services and activities can be found at wwwwearbattleborne.com.

The Hope Center also hosts support groups for family members of first responders, veterans and active military Thursday evenings 7 to 8 p.m.