Houston will hold the "Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration" on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The events are free and open to the public. A ceremony at 10 a.m. on the steps of City Hall will feature keynote speaker Ambassador Chase Untermeyer, a Navy veteran, who will recognize local heroes.
At 11 a.m., a moment of silence will mark the signing of the Armistice, which ended World War I. The American Heroes Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. downtown and will highlight local veteran organizations, ROTC programs and bands. The route starts at Dallas and Bagby and ends on Lamar at Bagby. Some street closures begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for setup.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress changed the observance of Nov. 11 after World War II and the Korean War. On June 1, 1954, the day became a holiday honoring American veterans of all wars. Veterans seeking information about programs can contact the Mayor's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs.