FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Fort Sam Houston will host its annual Salute to Veterans
Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 at MacArthur Parade Field.
The ceremony is one of many featured events of San
Antonio’s “Celebrate America’s
Military,” or CAM, tribute to service members past and present. Last year’s
ceremony was dedicated to World War II veterans with the presentation of the
French Legion de Guerre by the French Consulate to veterans that fought in
France.
“This year we are highlighting Vietnam veterans,” said Sgt.
Maj. Janine Osterberg, operations chief for U.S. Army North and lead planner
for the ceremony. “In addition to giving special recognition to some Vietnam
veterans during the program, the ceremony’s backdrop will be an 80-percent
scale replica of the Vietnam Wall, which should be very special.”
The wall, operated by the non-profit American Veterans
Traveling Tribute and known as the “Traveling Wall,” is more than a football
field in length and contains every name etched on the original. It will be on
display at MacArthur Field from the afternoon of Nov. 10 through the evening of
Nov. 13.
Although this year’s ceremony will highlight Vietnam
veterans, all veterans will have a chance to stand and be recognized.
“This is an opportunity for us to thank all veterans,
regardless of the era they served in,” Osterberg said.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be immediately
followed by a small festival with live music and food. Non-DoD ID card holders
will be able to access the ceremony and festival without a post pass. Details
on those access procedures will be posted at http://www.jbsa.mil.