November 11 is a time America takes a moment to thank all Veterans for the sacrifices they pay to help protect our country. Celebrated as such since 1919, We continue to thank our Veterans for their time served. Cities throughout the Rio Grande Valley will be honoring their community Veterans. Here are just a few of the events that will be taking place next week.

Veterans War Memorial of Texas in McAllen

On November 11, the public is invited to a Veterans Day program at the Veteran’s War Memorial of Texas in McAllen (29th St. and Col. Plummer) at 9 a.m. The Nikki Rowe High School Band will begin playing patriotic music at 8:30 a.m. as a prelude to the program. The keynote speaker will be Senator Juan Hinojosa, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

Make plans to join to honor, thank and remember all of our veterans from the birth of our nation to the present day. The previous freedoms we enjoy every day were hard-fought for but are easily lost. For further information, contact Col. Frank Plummer at (956) 631-2511 or Jan Hartzog at (956) 605-3486.

Harlingen Events

Harlingen will honor Veterans at 11 a.m. at Pendleton Park, 4137 N. Minnesota St. The event will be held on November 11. Free admission. Call (956) 245-1276 for more information.

The City of Harlingen will also hold their second Annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held Thursday, November 11 at Tony Butler Golf Course. Registration is at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. There will be a three-man Florida Scramble. Veterans play free. Optional is Skins, $20; Tiger Tee, $5; and two Mulligans, $10. There will be prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, and hole in one prizes. Sign up at Tony Butler Golf Course or call Silver Trevino at (956) 226-3629; or email him at silver@ready-tee.com.

City of San Benito

The City of San Benito will have a Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 13. The event will feature music and food trucks. A Commemorative March will be held at 4 p.m. with Veterans lining up at the library. A ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m.

The event will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. at W.H. Heavin Memorial Park, 705 N. Bowie St.

Marine Military Academy

Marine Military Academy in Harlingen will host its Veterans Day Parade Thursday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. on the MMA Parade Grounds. Veterans from all military branches are encouraged to attend, as they will be honored at the event and asked to join the MMA superintendent for the pass in review. The public is also encouraged to attend.

MMA’s battalion-size parades are always held in front of the historic Iwo Jima Monument, a symbol of American pride for veterans, Marines and civilians alike. Although bleacher seating is available, parade-goers may bring lawn chairs.

MMA is located at 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., off Loop 499 and next to Valley International Airport in Harlingen. For more information on the Veterans Day Parade, call (956) 421-9225.

Mission to host third annual Veterans Day Fest

This year, the City of Mission is once again honoring local military heroes with a Veterans’ Appreciation BBQ, Thursday November 11. The drive-thru event at Mission Event Center (200 N. Shary Rd.) will feature a chicken plate with all the trimmings, while supplies last. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The City is proud to pay tribute to our men and women in the military by providing an annual Veterans Day Celebration,” Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said. “This civic celebration honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom.”

Veterans are urged to decorate their vehicles in red, white and blue to showcase their patriotism as they pick up their BBQ plates. Guests are also encouraged to visit the RGV State Veterans Cemetery over the holiday to place flowers or flags at the grave sites of loved ones.

The celebration recognizing military men and women will continue throughout November. The City of Mission is also offering a free round of golf throughout the month for Veterans at Shary Municipal Golf Course. A military ID is required for registration.

“This BBQ and a round of golf on us, is just a small token of gratitude,” Mayor O’Caña said. “We want our men and women in uniform, past, present, and future to know that we are forever grateful for their bravery, sacrifice and service.”

The Rio Grande Valley State Veteran’s Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Rd., will be open for visitation on Wednesday, November 11. Shary Municipal Golf Course will be letting Veterans, military ID required (100 golfer limit), have one free round of golf during the entire month of November.

For more information, call (956) 580-8662.

Veteran Music Festival to debut in Mission

Veteran owned and operated craft brewery 5x5 Brewing Co. invites the public to attend its inaugural “Loud & Clear Music Festival” on Saturday, November 13, 2021. This free event is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.

The foot-stomping entertainment will be headlined by Grammy Award winning country artist—and U.S. Army SSgt Adam Berry and will feature military veteran- based musical acts from across the state of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

Included on-stage acts are Shannon Book, Chris Marshall, Jack Nelson, the Teague Brother Band, Hill Country Revival, Vaquero/Cowboys, and Nick Starling.

Proceeds from all fundraising activities will be used to provide free meal vouchers for all veterans in attendance at the Mission Food Truck Park which is co-located at the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) building in Mission.

Representatives from a number of veteran nonprofit organizations will be on-site to share information about how the public can get involved with the veteran community. Featured are the Lone Survivor Foundation—founded by former Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, Hidalgo County Veterans Services, South Texas Afghanistan Iraq Veterans Association, the Marine Corps League, and many more.

Other Veterans Day events

On Saturday, November 13, a Veterans Day Senior League Softball game will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 13, at Brewster Elementary in Linn, Tx. Veterans ages 55 and older are invited to play a Veterans vs. Veterans softball game. For information, call Fred Esqueda at (956) 897-6961.