JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
"Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard.” - President John F. Kennedy
San Antonio will celebrate America’s Armed Forces for the 51st time Nov. 1-19, honoring the nearly 300 years of military presence in the Alamo Region.
Sponsored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Celebrate America’s Military, or CAM, will include a wide array of activities for service members and their families, as well as the citizens of San Antonio.
“The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the nation’s largest collaboration of events honoring the men and women who serve in our Nation's Military - Active, Guard, and Reserve of all ranks from all branches,” said retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Julie Gudgel, Aligned Education Foundation director, former command chief at Air Education and Training Command, and 2021 Celebrate America’s Military committee chair. “Recognizing the service of our military members in uniform and thanking the organizations throughout the community who support them year-round continues to be the aim of our events every year.”
The Chamber has been organizing this annual tribute to the military since 1970 and prepares all year for the special occasion. The opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., Nov. 1, at Alamo Plaza.
This event will be free, open to the public, and will include special remarks and appearances by: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, former Congressman Will Hurd, Commanding General of U.S. Army North Lt. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., the 323rd Army Band and Brackenridge High School’s award-winning Junior ROTC Color Guard.
Other CAM events are specifically for military members and require registration for civilian community members, such as the patriotic Spirit of America Dinner, Prayer Breakfast to Honor Military Chaplains, and several receptions for different levels of military leadership.