Military veterans are invited to an exclusive conversation with esteemed former four-star Marine Corps general John Kelly.

Kelly is the featured guest at a free luncheon for veterans at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 14 at Bridgewater Place. The event, including Kelly’s appearance, was arranged by Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay.

Kelly is a former Marine Corps general who led the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during President Donald Trump’s first term before becoming Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff.

Jay met Kelly while attending an event at Mount Vernon over the summer. After talking with the general, Jay figured it was worth a shot to ask him if he’d be willing to do an event with Knox County’s veterans.

“If you don’t ask, you don’t receive,” he said. Jay told Knox News he’s sponsoring the luncheon with his own money, not his county commission salary or campaign donations.