Veterans Day is Friday, November 11th this year, and San Marcos offers many local opportunities to show support for our veterans. This month the City of San Marcos, The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and local veterans organizations are calling the community to action to honor veterans. Everything from letter writing, photo sharing, fundraising, and improving access to food are all part of the month-long push to improve our community and honor military service members and thank them for their service.
The annual Veterans Day Parade will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their home, vehicle, bike, and business with flags, bunting, yellow ribbons, and other patriotic flairs for the whole month of November. The “Greenlight a Vet” initiative is also something you can participate in to show support.
Our city has a long tradition of military service and support, so let’s take the time and care to honor our veterans this month!
Weekly Calls to Action for Veterans Month:
November 1-7: Honor a Veteran
Submit a photo of the veteran you’d like to honor to the San Marcos Veterans Story Map using this link. Be sure to give their name and a description of their service. They’ll be included in the story map (an interactive map with pictures and service stories of Veterans from all wars).
November 5: Veterans Day Parade
The parade starts at 10 am, but The Kiwanis Club of San Marcos will be there early to help kids decorate their bikes, trikes, and scooters from 9-10 am. Registration is free, and you’ll need to complete the entry form found here to join in on the parade fun.
November 8-14: Donate to Wreaths Across America
Donations go toward remembrance wreaths for veteran gravesites resting in the City of San Marcos Cemetery. Sponsor a wreath or sign up to volunteer here.
November 15-21: Write a letter:
This is where you can make a big difference with a small gesture of kindness. You can write a letter to a veteran living in a Texas State Veteran Home telling them how thankful you are that they helped secure our future. Use the Veterans Land Board Mail Drop Program to connect.
This will have a bigger impact than you think. We encourage you to take the time to participate in this one and get your kids to do it, too. It’s a great way to not only thank a veteran directly but also help you pause and think about the freedoms that we often take for granted.
November 22-30: Hays County Food Bank Drive
Data from the USDA shows that working-age veterans are at greater risk (7.4%) of experiencing food insecurity, compared to non-veterans. For disabled veterans, this number rises nearly 3x to 22.5%.
There are lots of ways you can help out. Food can be donated to the bank directly, or you can order items on this Amazon wishlist, and they will be delivered to them. Monetary donations can be made online at the Hays County Food Bank’s donation webpage or by mailing them a check.
Community Support for Veterans in San Marcos
As San Marcos’ population swells faster than ever before, we mustn’t lose sight of what’s important. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos grew 50.5% from 2010-2020. Companies like Amazon, Best Buy, Urban Mining Company, and more set up shop nearby and are thriving. Our appreciation for the veterans should continue to be woven into our community’s future as we grow.
New San Marcos citizens are greeted by memorial streets, parks, parades, and community calls to action. These are all good ways we can welcome newcomers and show people how proud we are of our veterans. It’s more important than ever to recognize contributions from military service members as our city grows bigger and bigger.
Several factors continue to draw people to the area. Economic opportunity, consistently mild weather, great food, welcoming communities, and the perfect location between Austin and San Antonio create a balance you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re considering moving near Austin or San Antonio, pat yourself on the back for making a great decision.
Now all you have to do is find the right place to settle down. TRACE is a master-planned community in San Marcos that provides top-tier homes and amenities for people who value their community and live busy lives. Austin and San Antonio are close by, and everything else you want is at your fingertips.
Contact us for current inventory and more info on how to get started.
