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.
"We all need to remember the sacrifices of our nation's veterans and this is a perfect way to welcome them home and remember those who are away from home," said Mayor Bill White. "Houston appreciates our veterans and we want to show that support."
The 11th hour moment of silence will take place on the steps of City Hall, near the Hermann Square Reflecting Pool.
The parade route begins at the corner of Texas Avenue and Smith Street. The procession moves south on Smith Street to Lamar then westward on Lamar, concluding on Bagby. More information and the parade route map can be found at www.houstontx.gov/nov11/ .
Complimentary parking is available in the Theater District garages between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. courtesy of the City of Houston Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department.
