This past November, for the 52nd year, the San Antonio Chamber’s Celebrate America’s Military (CAM) Committee, in partnership with community members and sponsors, continued the tradition of hosting the largest and longest-held series of events celebrating our service men and women nationwide. This year’s celebration included more than 40 events and was a great success! CAM spanned three weeks in November and was the perfect opportunity for the community to highlight the selfless service of our brave men and women currently serving in all branches of our military, their families, veterans, and retirees, as well as the community and business members who support them year-round.
Endeavors joined the Title Sponsor family this year, along with USAA, Silver Eagle, and Wal-Mart. Many other sponsors came on board to invest in giving back to our military community who provides so much to us locally, statewide, and nationally.
The Chamber was honored to connect military service members with events that were hosted throughout the Alamo Region, including the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program’s Annual Golf Tournament, the Alamo’s Military Appreciation Day and SA Veterans Day at Hemisfair presented by Endeavors, which began with a chilly Veterans Day Run. The Chamber was also proud to host the following Chamber signature events:
- The Celebrate America’s Military Opening Ceremony at Alamo Plaza, where attendees heard from City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Alamo Trust Inc Executive Director Kate Rogers, Brigadier General Russell Driggers (502d ABW and JBSA Commander) and Lieutenant General Brian Robinson, Commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC).
- The annual Prayer Breakfast to Honor our Military Chaplains, where active-duty Chaplains spoke about their role and calling in the military. Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Robert Jemerson, retired Air Force Chaplain who serves as the Pastor of Second Baptist Church of San Antonio, spoke about his time in uniform and the important mission of military chaplains.
- The Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Reception was hosted at Chicken N Pickle and welcomed all branches of service and their Senior Enlisted Leaders for an informal networking opportunity with good food, beverage, games, and camaraderie, along with unique animal guests brought to us by Chamber members, “Once in a Wild”.
- The CAM Spirit of America Dinner hosted by Texas A&M University – San Antonio, continues to be the highlight of our CAM events. This year’s event was hosted again at the beautiful Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and featured an inspiring and patriotic keynote presentation by Former Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod “Magoo” Wolters. We were honored to recognize our distinguished WWII Veterans and their guests, along with Vietnam Veterans in attendance, paying special attention to recognizing their valuable service to our nation and the roots of CAM during that challenging time.
Be sure to visit www.celebrateamericasmilitary.com for information on this year’s events, as well as pictures documenting the celebrations throughout the city. Next year’s CAM planning is already underway, and events will be focused on celebrating all mission partners and their families who live and work throughout the Alamo Region. If you are interested in hosting an event or sponsoring events throughout the San Antonio community in November of 2023, please email Lori Stinson, Vice President of Military Affairs and Leadership Development.