Richard J. Norton, a professor at the Naval War College and a retired Navy commander, will be the speaker at the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday, Nov. 11, on the Town Common.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will be followed by refreshments in the Warren Methodist Church, across from the Common on Church Street. All are welcome. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held in the church.

Retired Lt. Col. John Bento of Warren will serve as master of ceremonies. He will be assisted by other Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, along with the Warren Association of Vietnam Veterans, American Legion Post 104 of Warren, and Warren Unit #11 of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Boy Scout Troop 25 will also take part, including Posting the Colors. The Kickemuit Grange and Junior Grange will also assist in the ceremony.

 Dr. Norton, who retired  from the Navy in 1996, served extensively at sea on cruisers and destroyers. He also served on Capitol Hill in various posts, including Senate Liaison Officer with the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

His professional experience includes a focus on failed states, humanitarian early warning, African regional military affairs and related peacekeeping, humanitarian and refugee operations, as well as numerous case studies concerning emerging security and leadership issues.

 Dr. Norton is considered an expert on so-called “feral cities,” where cities have devolved into lawlessness and disorder because of breakdowns in local authority. His work on the subject was cited by the New York Time in 2004 as one of its great ideas of the year.

He has edited three national security volumes for the Naval War College Press. His other publications include “Through a Mirror Darkly: The Use of Alternate History for Decision Makers and “Feral Cities 2009.”

A professor of National Security Affairs at the Navy War College, he also teaches military history and is a frequent guest on U.S. and Canadian public radio.