Mayor Bill White invites Houstonians to help honor service men and women by attending the annual Veteran's Day ceremony followed by the largest Veteran’s Day parade in the city’s history.
The emcee for this year’s ceremony will be Marine veteran and TV personality Bill Balleza and the keynote speaker will be Women’s Army Corps Chief Warrant Officer Five Candis “Candy” Martin, a decorated veteran who holds the top rank among Army Warrant Officers. Honorary Grand Marshal for the parade will be U.S. Army Reserve Col. Julia Arthur currently with the 75th Battle Command Training Division in Houston.
The events will take place Wednesday, November 11, 2009, beginning at 10 a.m. culminating in the traditional 11th Hour Moment of Silence at 11 a.m. The parade, which this year will feature a record 130 entrants, is to begin at 11:45 a.m. The pre-parade ceremony will take place on the steps of City Hall at 901 Bagby. Admission is free.
OTHER EVENTS IN AND AROUND HOUSTON
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6
Houston: Salute to Veterans, Friday November 6, 2009 from 11:00am – 1:30pm at the Omni Houston Westside (Eldridge at I-10) Keynote Speaker: Lt. Col. (Ret) Brian Birdwell, 9/11 Pentagon Attack Survivor. Send Veteran information (name, phone number, e-mail address, & branch of service) to info@hwcoc.org.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7
Katy: Birdies for the Brave Golf Tournament at Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, 23230 Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club Dr., Katy, TX 77494. All warrior 9hole golf tournament beginning at 10:00 a.m. There is a gala at 6:00 p.m. Saturday night following the warrior tournament at Safari Texas, 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77469. Dress is Business/Business Casual. All activities are at no cost to the warrior. If you are interested in attending please contact Ryan Pavlu at rpavlu@woundedwarriorproject.org. Please include your shirt size.
Houston: Houston Aeros Military Appreciation Night at the Toyota Center beginning at 7:00 PM. All military and veteran groups will receive free tickets to the Aeros game. Please get all update attendee counts from groups or organizations to Nikki Welsh via email nwelsh@aeros.com or phone at (713) 361-7957.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
Katy: Birdies for Brave Golf Tournament: at Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, 23230 Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club Dr., Katy, TX 77494 beginning at 10:00 a.m. We will have various activities planned during the tournament to include a swing clinic, long drive competition, closest to the pin competition and putting competition. Prizes will be given for the winner of each competition. Members of the Rice football team will also be in attendance doing various football activities.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 9
Houston: Veterans Day Jog with the Troops with the Houston Corps of Cadets beginning at 5:55am – 7:00am on Monday November 9, 2009 at the Rice University Naval ROTC building located at 6100 Main Street, Entrance 12 Houston, TX 77005.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11
Houston: The 11th Annual Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Commemoration and Parade will start at 10am to 11am with the Commemoration Ceremony at Hermann Square in front of City Hall, downtown Houston, 901 Bagby Street. The Parade of Heroes will follow at 11:45am on Smith Street begin at Smith and Texas, proceed down Smith to Lamar, right on Lamar, and conclude at Bagby St. For more information please call (832) 393-0826 or visit www.houstonspecialevents.org.
Houston: Attend the University of St. Thomas Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to honor America’s heroes and thank them for their loyal and dedicated service to our country. The short program on the University’s Campus Life Mall begins at 9 a.m., and the Veteran’s Day Run around campus happens at 9:45 a.m. Dr. Robert Ivany, UST President and Ret. Major General, U.S. Army, will deliver the Veteran’s Day message. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to wilsonsl@stthom.edu. Parking available in Moran Center at 3807 Graustark.
Houston: An all-day Procurement Event with a Special Focus on Veteran-owned Businesses on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM at United Way of Greater Houston 50 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007. For more information, please visit www.sbdc.uh.edu/veterans or contact the UH PTAC at 713-752-8477.
Clear Lake: Veterans Day Celebration. 10:30am - 12pm at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. This year the university is recognizing the United States Marine Corps at the ceremony at Liberty Park and the Student Services Building. Free admission, parking, and refreshments. For more info contact UHCL Office of Alumni and Community Relations at (281) 283-2024.
Baytown: Veterans Day Service. 11am at Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Beaumont: All Veterans Memorial unveiling and dedication at the Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitor Center at 11am. Go to www.vva292.org/memorial.cfm for more details.
Houston: University of Houston Veterans Day Ceremony from 11am – 1pm at the University Center Atrium, Underground level patio. Call 713-743-5490 for more information.
Houston: Lone Star Veterans Association Veterans Day Celebration from 12:30pm-5pm at American Legion Post 416, 1216 W. Clay St, Houston, TX 77019. Free fajitas and drinks. Live DJ, a prize raffle, Wii bowling tournament, veteran dunk tank, sumo suit wrestling, moonwalks and games for the kids, and bake sale. To RSVP, email LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com or for more information call 832-393-8147 or go to www.LoneStarVeterans.org.
College Station: Veterans Day Ceremony and BBQ dinner. 3-8pm at Veterans Park. $8 tickets for BBQ plate are available now at the College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Dr. For more information go to http://honorthenames.com/.
Huntsville: The HEARTS Veterans Museum Grand Opening at 11am. Go to www.heartsmuseum.com for more information.
Sweeny: Brazoria County Veterans Day Parade starts at 11am in downtown Sweeny and ends at the Sweeny High School Bulldog Stadium. A Veterans Day Program will commence promptly at 1pm at Bulldog Stadium.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12
Houston: Heal Our Heroes Gala: Ministering to the Military in Our Midst featuring keynote speaker Colonel Oliver North at the Westin Oaks Hotel, Consort Ballroom, located at 5011 Westheimer Houston, TX. VIP Reception begins at 5:30 PM. Dinner and program begin at 6:30 PM. More information can be found at www.healourheroes.info
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16
Houston: Houston Community College Veteran Awareness Day Luncheon on November 16th @ 11:00 am located at 3100 Main, Auditorium
VETERANS DAY DISCOUNTS
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
McCormick and Schmick’s: On Sunday, November 8, 2009, veterans will receive a meal compliments of McCormick and Schmick's. Veterans can choose a complimentary entree from a special menu for that day. The restaurant asks that the proper identification (VA card, VFW card, discharge papers, DD214 or other Veterans ID) is presented to your server upon being seated. Both Houston locations are participating, but if there will be more than 6 in your party, it's best to call ahead to see if they'll be able to seat you. The restaurant wants to make sure that they are able to accommodate for all veteran wanting to take advantage of this deal. To find the nearest restaurant to you, visit their website for locations.