“I belong to the biggest fraternity in the world, the US military. I can go to any bar, almost anywhere in the world, and I can usually find a vet. That is what this sailor said to me at a bar after I told him I was rushing for a fraternity,” USAF veteran Cory Adams recounts.
“It’s kind of a cliché, but it really is true. Everywhere I go I can usually find a fellow former service member and it’s easy to make friends.”
San Antonio is known as a military city due to the large number of military bases located here. It’s not hard to find veterans in San Antonio, but if you really want to thank a veteran for his or her sacrifice, visit the wounded soldiers at Brook Army Medical Center.
This year veterans have a lot to be thankful for including the strategic withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
“I’m glad to see all the troops coming home, but I hope it is the right decision,” USAF veteran Josh Mitchell said. “On Veterans Day, I always think of the inscription above the American military cemetery at Normandy, ‘Look how many of them there were. Look how young they were. They died for your freedom. Hold back your tears and keep silent.'”
To help celebrate Veterans Day, dozens of local businesses are offering freebies to veterans and troops on Nov. 11.
“I plan on looking at some of the Veterans Day specials. A lot of restaurants are offering free meals to veterans,” veteran Joel Tomassini said. “I hope they realize that there are a lot of veterans here in San Antonio.”
Local restaurants, discount retailers, hardware stores, shoe stores, barber shops, salons and sporting goods stores are just some of the places offering deals for vets.
“I plan to find all the restaurants that are offering free food to vets and eat for free all day,” said USMC veteran and senior political science major, Trevor Whitney. “I call it my ‘tour de force.’ I think it is great that businesses show appreciation to returning service members when a generation ago, they were spit on.”
National Veterans Day Run is hosting a charity run 11K or 1 mile walk. Those interested can register at www.nationalveteransdayrun.com.
The San Antonio Symphony and the United States Air Force Band of the West are also offering a free Veterans Day concert on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre.
