The annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes” festivities will kick off on the steps of City Hall at 10 a.m. with the third annual AT&T Veterans Job Fair and second annual Walgreens Veterans Health Fair, which is open until 2 p.m.  A moment of silence will be observed at 11 a.m., followed by the 11th hour ceremony in memory of the WWI signing of the Armistice. The American Heroes parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Lamar and Bagby, proceeding north on Smith, east on Walker, south on Louisiana and ending at Dallas.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to recognize and pay respect to our heroes,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “Through our corporate partners, AT&T and Walgreens, we are able to assist service members returning to the work force.  These men and women have served our country well.  They deserve our ongoing help as they return home to resume productive lives.”

Many returning veterans find themselves unemployed or underemployed while trying to effectively translate their extensive military skills into the current job market. “Approximately 300,000 Veterans live in the Houston metropolitan area with 22,000 of those Vets having returned since 9/11,” said E. A. “Buddy” Grantham, director, City of Houston Office of Veterans' Affairs. “They offer a tremendous resource to expanding companies.”

 “AT&T is proud to join Mayor Parker and the City of Houston again this year in supporting the men and women who have stepped up and sacrificed so much to protect our freedom,” said Alice Aanstoos, regional vice president of AT&T, Houston.  

Walgreens will provide flu shots and on-site health screenings including: blood glucose testing, bone density, blood pressure readings, cholesterol checks, waist circumference, and Body Mass Index exams. Free HIV/STD and TB screenings will also be available courtesy of the City of Houston, Health and Human Services Department.

“Walgreens is proud to serve as a health care resource for our military men and women, veterans, and their families this Veterans Day and every day,” said James D. Ward, Walgreens market vice president.  As one of the city’s most accessible, trusted providers of health and daily living needs, we are committed to offering the tools and information to help our nation’s heroes stay well and live well.

Bill Balleza, USMC Veteran and television anchor will emcee the 11:00 a.m. ceremony. Colonel John Daniel, commander of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Ellington Joint Reserve Base, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

Commissioner Jerry Patterson, with the Texas General Land Office and Texas Veteran’s Land Board, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event’s opening ceremony.  Commissioner Patterson was born in Houston and graduated from Texas A&M University, Class of 1969.  After volunteering for duty in Vietnam, Patterson was later designated as a Naval Flight Officer and served in Marine fighter squadrons until his retirement from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993.  Five consecutive generations of Patterson's family have served our nation in time of war.

Free parking is available from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Theater District Parking, Tranquillity Garage, entrances #2 & #5 only. For more information, please visit www.houstonspecialevents.org.