Wednesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a holiday observed across the US, and for Houston, that’s the celebration of more than 300,000 retired and active-duty service members. While Houston has become a popular destination for military families because of its robust medical infrastructure and affordable living, Texas still has some work to do in providing consistent care for veterans.
Despite having the second highest number of veterans per state and a capital city that places No. 1 for veteran living, overall, Texas poses challenges for veteran suitability, with low disability compensation, limited veteran nursing home availability, and low veteran employment rates. The Lone Star State also ranks 20th for veteran retirees, which is exacerbated by federal cuts to VA programs, leading veterans to lose their homes.
Veterans are already a vulnerable population in the US, facing increased risk of unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues compared to their civilian counterparts.
While we wait to see what statewide improvements will come for our military community in the 2027 Texas Legislative session, Houston organizations, restaurants, and institutions are trying to bridge the gap on Veterans Day and beyond.
Celebrating veterans
On Nov. 11, The city of Houston is planning a morning commemoration and parade beginning at 10 a.m. at City Hall, where former Ambassador to Qatar Chase Untermeyer will deliver a keynote address. The ceremony will be followed by a moment of silence and a parade across downtown Houston.
National restaurant chains will be honoring veterans throughout the day with discounts, free meals, and special menus, like free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, a free entrée at California Pizza Kitchen, and a free meal at Chili’s. Local establishments will also offer specials, like a free two-meat barbecue plate at Feges BBQ, a free kolache from Kolache Shoppe, and 50% off at Molina’s Cantina.
Other organizations are seeking volunteers to serve steak dinners to veterans, listen to veterans’ stories, and donate canned food and care kits that will be distributed to former service members.
If you can’t make the celebrations on Veterans Day, Cycle of Humanity is hosting a community wellness and resource event on Thursday, Nov. 12. This event will provide veterans and their families with free food and drinks as well as resources like benefits assistance and medical care options.
Long-Term Resources
Even though Veterans Day is only one day of the year, critical support for veterans in Houston lasts long after the holiday is over.
In the suburbs of Houston, longer-term veteran projects are taking root, with the newly founded Fort Bend Veteran Food Distribution passing out free groceries to veterans once a month and connecting them with employment opportunities, housing options, and mental health resources.
Camp Hope, a free interim housing program in Northwest Houston, offers combat veterans and their families a six to nine month stay where they can access mental health resources and family support.
The Harris County Public Library also connects veterans to a knowledge hub with the veterans resources database, an information access platform designed to guide veterans toward benefits and programs to help them and their families.
