The City of Houston Office of Veterans Affairs’ mission is to assist Houston in becoming the best city in the nation through unparalleled service to our serving military, veterans, and their families.

Assist veterans of the United States Armed Forces to ensure that neither they, their dependents, nor survivors are denied access to the entitlements promised them by a grateful nation.

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Armed Forces Day Military Ball

May 19, 2012 -- The Military Ball will be held at the JW Marriott, 5150 Westheimer-Houston across from the Galleria. The reception will begin at 6 PM with ceremonies commencing at 7 PM. This year the Marine Corps is the lead service and the military speaker is Lieutenant General Steven Hummer, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve. Congressional and foreign representatives are pending. The emcee for the evening is our local celebrity Bob Boudreaux, a Vietnam Veteran. As in the past it will be a formal and fun evening. There will be a joint service color guard, formal toasting to the services and our allies, POW/MIA ceremony led by former POW, inspirational speakers, awards, and dancing to the ever popular Kurland Street Band. Vegetarian meal arrangements must be made in advance. The cost for the evening is $60 per person.

Reservations: Go to PayPal on the Houston Military Affairs Committee web site www.hmac.us. If you use PayPal please use the instructions for the vendor to say who you wish to be seated with unless you want an open seating.

Hotel Accommodation: The Marriott has a block of rooms set aside for the Ball. Make reservations directly with reservations at 713.961.1500. The block of rooms is for the Houston Military Ball.

Mayor Parker, Astros Announce Details of Welcome Home Parade for Iraqi Vets

Mayor Parker and Houston Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane today invited all Houstonians to come downtown Saturday, April 7, 2012 for a welcome home parade honoring returning Iraq veterans.  The parade, sponsored by the City of Houston in partnership with the Astros 2012 opening weekend festivities, will step off from the corner of Texas and San Jacinto at 4 p.m. and then proceed east on Texas to Crawford and then north (left) on Crawford to Congress, ending at Minute Maid Park.

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Veterans Gain Advantage When Seeking City Work

November 18, 2010 -- In today's battle for jobs, one group of people now has an advantage when applying for work with the city of Houston — military veterans. City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to support an executive order by Mayor Annise Parker that gives hiring preference to veterans. "All things being equal, if you have a veteran and a non-veteran, you hire the veteran," said Parker, who signed the order on Veterans Day.

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The 214 Magazine

The 214 Magazine is debuting its relaunch  as an interactive, online magazine.bringing news of the Lone Star Veterans and other veterans around the state to your browser. Flip through it online, download, or even print it off. 

As The 214 expands it's horizon, they are on the lookout for contributing writers and columnists. If you have writing experience or want to start, email Membership@LoneStarVeterans.org.

For more info go to: 214 Magazine June Issue

Returning Veterans Initiative

Since June of 2007, when Harris County and the City of Houston joined together to launch the Returning Veteran Initiative (RVI) in an effort to ease the transition home for the thousands of veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq returning to the Greater Houston Area services have consistently improved for our returning heroes.

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COHOVA Quick Links

• Mission • Director Bio • Press Links • Links • Military Handbooks • New GI Bill Info • Events Links • Calendar of Events • More News • More Resources • Employment Opportunities • OEF / OIF • Returning Veterans Initiative • Transitions Assistance Program (TAP) • VA Health Care Fact Sheets • COHOVA Brochure (.pdf)