Former Chief Justice and Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Moore will participate in Crenshaw Christian Academy’s Veteran Day salute next Thursday.

Moore, who will challenge incumbent Gov. Bob Riley for the state’s highest office, will be the program’s featured speaker, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

CCA Administrator Angela Carpenter said it was the wish of teacher Merlene Carlisle’s eighth grade class to have Moore, himself a Vietnam veteran and graduate of West Point Military Academy, be honored during the program.

“We’re just so honored to have him come here and we’re excited,” said Carpenter. She said arrangements were made through local attorney Mike Jones, who was part of the legal team that represented Moore when the then-Alabama Chief Justice refused a federal order to move a 5,300-pound monument of the Ten Commandments from the state’s judicial building.

Jones came away with a newfound respect for Moore.

“I was just real impressed and you could just feel his sense of patriotism and what this country meant to him,” said Jones.

Critics continuously attack Moore, claiming he’s using religion as a political stepping-stone. He’s constantly been at offs with the American Civil Liberties Union, ever since he was a circuit judge and displayed the Ten Commandments openly in his courtroom, while also asking clergy to lead the jury in prayer.

But Jones said that’s not the case.

“He’s very principled…very sincere in what he believes and very knowledgeable,” said Jones. “I know some people may think it’s politics, but I didn’t see that at all.”

Moore announced his candidacy for the governorship on Oct. 3.

Carpenter said the public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will also include a choral singing as well as a presentation of the colors by the Boy Scouts of America. Luverne resident and former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Terry Butts will introduce Moore.