JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- San Antonio has been home to a consistent military presence for nearly 300 years and it’s why it’s called "Military City USA." The city has one of the nation's largest active and retired military populations.
Joint Base San Antonio educates more Department of Defense students than any other installation, hosts the largest concentration of cyber and Intelligence communities second only to the National Capital Region in D.C., oversees more active runways than any other installation, houses the DOD's largest hospital and only level one trauma center, and supports more than 565,000 personnel who live and work in four counties and four Congressional districts.
Hosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Celebrate America's Military is a series of events honoring the men and women who serve in the nation's military: active duty, Guard and Reserve from all branches. The following is a partial list of some of the planned events. For more information, visit http://www.celebrateamericasmilitary.com/events.html.
Prayer Breakfast Honoring Military Chaplains
Date/Time: Oct. 28, 7:30-9 a.m.
Location: Whitley Theological Center, 284 Oblate Drive
The CAM Prayer Breakfast is designed to honor military chaplains and their contributions to the spiritual well-being of service members and their families. The breakfast will feature remarks from active duty, Guard and Reserve chaplains, as well as an inspiring keynote highlighting the hope and resilience of our nation's finest. Free to attend for CAM sponsors, military (active, Guard, Reserve) and their spouse/guest. Military guests can register at https://sanantoniotxcoc.wliinc25.com/events/2019-CAM-Military-active-guard-reserve-and-Guest-Registration-4810/register. Cost for all others, to include veteran and retired service members is $25 per person and can be bought at https://sanantoniotxcoc.wliinc25.com/events/2019-CAM-Celebrate-Americas-Military-4781/register.
CAM Tip-Off
Date/Time: Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m.
Location: Morgan's Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive
The official opening of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Celebrate America’s Military” presented by The Boeing Company and hosted at Morgan’s Wonderland. This unique event celebrates the spirit and resiliency of those wounded in military service, and of civilians who also face daunting physical challenges – but who all demonstrate the undying spirit to overcome and succeed. There will be a fun and exciting exhibition wheelchair basketball game involving disabled veterans from ParaSports and participants in the Morgan’s Wonderland STRAPS (South Texas Regional Adaptive and Paralympic Sports) program. Playing alongside these athletes will be representatives of the local business community and our valued CAM partnering organizations. Free to attend for CAM sponsors, military (active, Guard, Reserve) and their spouse/guest. Military guests can register at https://sanantoniotxcoc.wliinc25.com/events/2019-CAM-Military-active-guard-reserve-and-Guest-Registration-4810/register. All others to include veteran and retired service members are $10 per person at https://sanantoniotxcoc.wliinc25.com/events/2019-CAM-Celebrate-Americas-Military-4781/register.
BAMC Veterans Day
Date/Time: Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive
The theme for this year's celebration is "Tomorrow's History Is Today," and will feature living history performers who will talk with beneficiaries throughout the hospital about what military life was like in the late 1800s, during World War I, and during World War II. Additionally, there will be a concert by Steve Griggs in the medical mall, along with information tables from a variety of organizations, including the City of San Antonio with Bexar County, the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve, and others. There will also be a presentation in the 4th floor auditorium featuring a local high school color guard, a local singing group, and a keynote presentation by retired Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala, director of the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs for the City of San Antonio. The celebration is open to authorized ID holders.
You Are Not Forgotten Vietnam Veteran Event
Date/Time: Nov. 2, 10 a.m.
Location: 1514 W. Commerce St., San Antonio
What started in 2016 as an appreciation luncheon for, and panoramic photo of, West side Vietnam Veterans evolved into 2019’s open invitation to all veterans in San Antonio, and its surrounding areas, from all wars and conflicts. At the southwest corner of Commerce and Colorado, there is a mural named “You Are Not Forgotten.” Funded by San Anto Cultural Arts in 2006, lead muralist Mike Roman created the mural to honor his father, Antonio Roman, who served in the Vietnam War, and earned two Purple Hearts. Featuring a free lunch for all veterans, a Q&A with muralist Mike Roman and his father, a re-dedication ceremony for the mural, and live music throughout the day, “You Are Not Forgotten” is a significant gathering of the Westside community of San Antonio, Texas. Call 210-442-9292.
University of the Incarnate Word Football
Date/Time: Nov. 2, 4-7 p.m.
Location: Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
UIW football will host Nicholls in a marquee matchup between the 2018 Co-Southland Conference Champions. This game will feature a number of military elements, including a field-sized American flag during the National Anthem and a military enlistment ceremony at halftime. As with all UIW Athletics events, all active duty, Reserve, Guard, DOD civilian and veteran military members will receive free entry. Each military member can claim up to four free tickets per event by visiting https://uiw.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx and using the code "MILTY" prior to checkout.