The Alexandria Black History Museums annual Veterans Day program will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This years honored guest and featured speaker will be U.S. Air Force Colonel Charlie M. Johnson. Johnson will discuss why joining the U.S. Air Force was the best decision of her life.

Johnson, vice commander of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency in D.C., is responsible for administering the Air Forces criminal justice process, representing the Air Force in civil litigation, operating its civil law program, advising field legal offices on military justice and civil law issues and providing the Air Forces legal training and education programs at the Judge Advocate Generals School.

Johnson received a direct commission as an Air Force judge advocate in February 1989 and entered active duty the following month. She has served in several capacities, starting out as a claims officer and an active litigator at the base level and then quickly placed on the circuit to litigate cases full time. From criminal litigation, she moved to claims litigation in Rosslyn.

Over the course of her career, Johnson has served as a staff judge advocate three times, and is the only woman of color to serve as the vice commander of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency. She earned her B.S. degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and her J.D. degree from Albany Law School.

This free event will also include a live performance of the National Anthem and light refreshments. The event is co-sponsored by the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Due to limited seating, reservations are requested but not required. Please call 703-838-4356 for reservations or more information.