CELEBRATE AMERICA’S MILITARY IN NOVEMBER

  • Published
  • By CAM
  • 502nd ABW/PA

Since 1970, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has organized Celebrate America’s Military, or CAM, an annual tribute to the military. The two-week celebration during the month of November features events presented with community partners, making it the largest event of its kind nationwide.

The following events are open to the public:

 

CAM Opening Ceremony and 30th Anniversary Vietnam Veteran Memorial Dedication

Date/time: Tuesday, 10-11 a.m.

Location: 100 Auditorium Circle, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Steps

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the Chamber hosts an opening ceremony to kick off CAM and commemorate the building of San Antonio’s memorial uniquely designed to remember Vietnam War veterans.

 

San Antonio Symphony Veteran’s Day Concert “Salute to Service,” featuring the U.S. Air Force Band of the West and the 323d Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own.

Date/time: Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.

Location: Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St.

The San Antonio Symphony, the U.S. Air Force Band of the West and the 323d Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own” join together to present a patriotic musical celebration honoring the nation. While the event is free of charge and open to the public, tickets are required. Ticket holders have pre-access to the Majestic Theater when doors open at 6 p.m. Non-ticket holders will enter at 6:45 p.m.

 

UIW Military Appreciation Football Game

Date/time: Nov. 5, 2:30 p.m.

Location: Benson Stadium at the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway

The University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals football team plays the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. UIW Athletics and Extended Academic Programs host a pre-game military appreciation tailgate. Free admission to the game for all active-duty military, veterans and Department of Defense employees with ID and their families. Parking is $8 per vehicle. First 500 fans will receive a military appreciation drawstring bag. Half-time events include enlistment ceremony and UIW and Army band performance. To contact the UIW Cardinal ticket office, call 805-3000. Children 2 and up will need a full price ticket. For tickets, visit https://uiw.universitytickets.com.

 

Humor for Heroes

Date/time: Nov. 5, 7 p.m.

Location: Texas A&M-San Antonio Auditorium, One University Way

Humor for Heroes strives to demonstrate our appreciation to current and former military members by providing an entertaining night of comedy, fostering connections with military resources and contributing much needed financial support to military charities. This is a ticketed event and open to the public. Tickets are $15 each or two for $25. 

 

UTSA Celebrates America’s Military (Downtown Campus)

Date/time: Nov. 9, 3-6 p.m.

Location: UTSA Downtown Campus, 501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd.

Veterans resource fair and speaking engagements.

 

Hiring Red, White and You!

Date/time: Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall 2, 3201 E. Houston St.

Join the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions Alamo for the 4th Annual Hiring Red White and You Job Fair. This event is designed to connect employers seeking qualified candidates with Texas veterans and their family members seeking employment.

 

UTSA Celebrates America’s Military ​(Main Campus)

Date/time: Nov. 10; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., veterans resource fair; 3 p.m., veteran’s study room dedication; 4 p.m., Army and Air Force ROTC pass and review

Location: 1 UTSA Circle

 

Wish For Our Heroes Ride Texas San Antonio Event

Date/time: Nov. 10, 2:30 p.m.

Location: Toyota Field

Join the San Antonio Spurs and “Wish for Our Heroes” Riders for a welcome party to San Antonio and to be on site to see a few wishes granted to military heroes. Twenty-four riders and a convoy of support staff travel from Wichita Falls, Texas, to Corpus Christi, Texas, in the span of five days, covering just over 500 miles. The event begins Nov. 7 and conclude Nov. 11. RIDE TEXAS began in 2011 and has successfully taken a unified team across the state each year since. The event is led by wounded heroes and the purpose of the team is to assist our wounded heroes in completing this journey. Each day is filled with single day events such as meet and greets, parades, and dinners. These single day events are used to not only meet the community but to raise funds for our Military members and to grant wishes.

 

Texas A&M University-San Antonio Celebrate America’s Military

Date/time: Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.

Location: Patriots’ Casa, Texas A&M-San Antonio, One University Way
Texas A&M University-San Antonio will honor service members with a flag raising along with a wreath-laying ceremony on Veterans Day at the Patriots’ Casa. This event is free and open to the public.​

 

Moment of Silence and National Roll Call Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Date/time: Nov. 11, 9 a.m.

Location: Patriots’ Casa, Texas A&M-San Antonio, One University Way

Texas A&M University-San Antonio will honor service members with a moment of silence and National Roll Call on Veterans Day at the Patriots’ Casa. This event is free and open to the public.

 

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Veteran’s Day Ceremony

Date/time: Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m.

Location: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road

Music prelude begins at 9:30 a.m. with ceremony at 10 a.m. Guest speaker is Allen B. Clark Jr., West Point graduate and Vietnam veteran.

 

Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Commemorative Ceremony

Date/time: Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m.

Location: San Antonio National Cemetery, 517 Paso Hondo St.

Comprised of former slaves, freedmen and Black Civil War veterans, the historic Buffalo

Soldiers persevered through difficult conditions to become some of the most elite and most decorated units in the U.S. Army. The annual Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Commemorative Ceremony at the San Antonio National Cemetery honors these past heroes with a keynote speaker, the reading of a memorial list, military honors and taps and a benediction. Speaker is Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education and Training Command.

 

San Antonio Spurs Veterans Appreciation Night

Date/time: Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Location: AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Parkway

The San Antonio Spurs host the Detroit Pistons with tip-off at 7:30pm. All military and friends of CAM can access this special offer by going to http://spursgroups.com/2016veteransday and using the OFFER CODE: MILITARY. Tickets purchased through this offer will receive a special military-themed T-shirt at the game. Instructions on where to pick up T-shirt will be emailed to the address provided at the checkout 48 hours prior to the game. ​Children 24 months and younger get in free.

 

U.S. Military Veterans Parade and Wreath Laying at the Alamo

Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. wreath laying, parade at noon

Location: Alamo Plaza

The U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association presents the annual Veterans Parade in downtown San Antonio, during the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate America’s Military Week. Representatives from each branch of the military services and special guests speak briefly then carry wreaths to the entrance of the Alamo in recognition of the nation’s and Texas veterans. Line the downtown streets and wave your American flag and show your pride as veterans past and present are honored. For more parade information, visit http://www.usmvpa.com/index-PARADE_DATE.html. Honorary parade marshall is World War II Navy veteran Susano Ortiz and grand marshalls are District 26 Sen. Jose Menendez and District 19 Sen. Carlos Uresti.

 

Army West Point Tailgate Party 

Date/time: Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Alamo Beer Company, 202 Lamar St.

Pricing: Tailgate, free; barbecue plate and iced tea, $10; souvenir beer glass (beer discounted with purchase), $10; parking, $10; shuttle bus to/from game (one mile from tailgate to stadium), $6. ​Kids’ activities include free Fun Zone. For stadium game tickets, contact Army West Point at 845-938-2526. For more information and tailgate registration, visit https://secure.west-point.org/wpsst/armytailgate. For information regarding tailgate registration, email wpsst@live.com. 

 

Segs4Vets Mobilizing America’s Heroes 5K Run/Walk

Date/time: Nov. 13; registration, 7:30-8:30 a.m.; event, 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Freetail Tap Room, 2000 S. Presa St.

Segs4Vets (http://www.
Segs4Vets.org) provides mobility devices to military members severely injured while serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Segs4Vets started in 2005 and has since awarded over 1,400 mobility devices to men and women who have served our country.  This event will feature a 5K run/walk beginning at the Freetail Tap Room, with an awards ceremony and door prizes afterwards. Email Segs4Vets5k@gmail.com or call 913-2563.

 

San Antonio Rampage Military Family Night

Date/time: Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. Location: AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Parkway

The San Antonio Rampage hockey team hosts the Charlotte Checkers with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. All military and friends of CAM can access this special discounted ticket offer by going visiting http://spursgroups.com/novemberhockey and using the offer code MILITARY. ​Children 24 months and younger get in free. 

 

The Stars Behind The Stripes

Date/time: Nov. 19, 6 p.m.

Location: La Fontana Springs, 27618 Natural Bridge Caverns Road

A night of wining and dining presented by Association of the United States Army, myKlick and friends. This special dinner is to honor the spouses and significant others who support the members of the armed forces. Visit http://myklick.city/myklick-10000strong-event-stars-behind-the-stripes/.