Several cities and organizations will be having Veterans Day events this coming Veterans Day. There were a few cities like Brownsville and Edinburg that have already hosted their Veterans events, but there are a few more you can check out. Some RV parks will also be holding events, so check with your park to see if they are holding a special event recognizing the Veterans in your community.
Officially observed on November 11, Veterans Day is a time to recognize the service and pay respects to military Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This holiday started as a day to reflect the heroism of those who died in our country’s service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on November 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” in order to account for all Veterans in all wars.
The City of Mission invites the community to join in a day of festivities on November 9, honoring Veterans with a series of events, including the 6th Annual Veterans Day Parade, a DD214 Freedom 5k Run, a Veterans Appreciation BBQ, and a lively family-friendly festival.
At 7 a.m., the day begins with the DD214 Freedom Run, a 5K open to all ages along the parade route on Business 83 between Conway Ave. and Bryan Rd. The $25 registration fee is waived for Veterans using the coupon code “FREEDOM” at checkout. Credentials are required at packet pickup. Register for the DD214 Freedom 5K Run at https://endurancesplits.redpodium.com/city-of-mission-dd214-freedom-run-.
Mission’s Veterans Day Parade will start at 12 p.m. and run along Business 83 between Conway Ave. and Bryan Rd. The City of Mission encourages the community to bring lawn chairs and show their support for Veterans as patriotic floats pass by.
After the parade, attendees can gather from 2 to 6 p.m. at the CEED building (801 Bryan Rd.) for the Veterans Day Festival, featuring live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities. The event is free and open to all.
The day continues with the Veterans Appreciation BBQ, a drive-thru event at the Mission Parks & Recreation (721 Bryan Rd.) from 2 to 4 p.m. that will offer 1,000 free chicken plates to Veterans. On-site seating will be available.
Road closures will be in effect throughout the day to ensure safety; please follow posted signs. The City of Mission looks forward to honoring Veterans with the community on this special day.
On Monday, November 11, at 9 a.m. The Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery will hold their Veterans Day Flag Laying Ceremony. No RSVP is needed, and flags will be provided. The cemetery is located at 2520 Inspiration Rd., in Mission.
The McAllen’s Veterans War Memorial Committee will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11 at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, 29th St. and Col. Plummer Dr., by the McAllen Convention Center.
“On Veterans’ Day, we remember those brave men and women who honorably served our great nation,” said Mayor Villalobos. “It is because of the millions of people who answered that call to serve that America is still the greatest country in the world.”
To learn more about the memorial, visit https://www.mcallen.net/veterans/.
The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System celebrates Veterans Day with Veterans Benefits and Information Fairs, free food and drinks, door prizes, and music. They will be holding an event in Laredo at Laredo Vietnam Veterans Plaza, 1120 E. Calton Rd., on November 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Harlingen, their event will be at the Harlingen VA Health Care Center, 2601 Veterans Dr., Friday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The events are open to Veterans, their families, and friends, caregivers, and community members. For more event details, call Patty Gonzalez at (361) 800-1442 or Voluntary Services at (956) 291-9093. For more information about this and other events, follow VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System on Facebook.
While Brownsville already had their event, you can visit Brownsville Veterans Park. This is a living memorial park with large concave concrete slabs. Engraved into the concrete are the names of Brownsville area veterans. Names from World War II to Afghanistan are included.
The center of the memorial contains three large flag poles centered on a concrete base with a star embedded within it.
The monument has been a project created for veterans, by veterans. The American Legion aimed to make the park an educational extension of the library by creating two murals showing the locations of conflicts from the 18th century to present on a world map.
