November is the perfect month to reinforce in your kids the value of honor by recognizing U.S. veterans and all they have done for our country
To teach our children the meaning of honor is to instill in them the values of honesty, fairness, and integrity in their beliefs and actions. Parents can bring this important lesson to light this November by recognizing the honorable men and women of the U.S. military who have worked, fought, and sacrificed to deter war and to protect the security of our country,
Veteran’s Day Celebration
On November 11, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events will present its annual Veterans’ Day Celebration, “Houston Salutes American Heroes.” The celebration begins with a job, resource and health fair for military personnel, past and present. The ceremony begins at 10:00 am with a moment of silence in memory of the WWI signing of the Armistice, then continues with a parade beginning at 11:30 am that winds through downtown. Make plans to join more than 10,000 Houstonians paying tribute to our veterans! www.houstontx.gov
Houston National Cemetery
For a more contemplative outing, consider taking the family for a visit to the Houston Veterans Administration Cemetery, which was dedicated Dec. 7, 1965. Houston became a national cemetery in 1973 after the passage of the National Cemetery Act.
The Hemicycle at Houston National Cemetery is its largest memorial and the most visible structure on the landscape. It is one of only three known hemicycles located in national cemeteries. At the keystone, or center, of the hemicycle are the chapel, carillon and speaker’s stand. David Parsons, a professor of art at Rice University, sculpted a 20’ x 6’ bas relief of three interlocking forms — a fallen soldier supported by two comrades. The sculpture, made of crushed quartz, was installed at the chapel entrance in 1965. The 75-foot tower, 305-bell, Schulmerich “Americana” carillon was dedicated May 30, 1970.
You can underscore the humanity of this cemetery by pointing out to kids some of the notable people who have been laid to rest here.
Medal of Honor Recipients include First Lieutenant Raymond L. Knight, (World War II), U.S. Army Air Corps. Northern Po Valley, Italy, on April 25, 1945 (Section H-B 11); Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia, (World War II), U.S. Army, Company B, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Grosshau, Germany, Nov. 27, 1944 (Section H-A 1); Captain James H. Fields, (World War II), U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division. Near Rechicourt, France, Sept. 27, 1944 (Section H-B 6); First Sergeant David H. McNerney, (Vietnam), U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Polei Doc, Republic of Vietnam, March 22, 1967 (Section H-A 4).
The most renowned veteran buried in the cemetery is the late Honorable Albert Thomas, United States Congressman from Texas. Congressman Thomas served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I, and served almost 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was instrumental in getting this cemetery established by Congress. “Congressman Albert,” as his many friends knew him, died in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 15, 1966, and was buried in the mall area of the Houston National Cemetery, on Feb. 18, 1966.
The Houston National Cemetery is located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77038. www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/houston.asp
