Huntsville honors its veterans with more than a week of events

As Mayor Tommy Battle notes, “Veterans Day” isn’t big enough for Huntsville.

“We celebrate Veterans Week around here,” Battle says.

While the annual Veterans Day commemoration will be Saturday, Nov. 11, the days leading up to it will be full of red, white and blue – and #RedWhiteBlueHsv.

“Thousands of veterans live here and they’re the backbone of our community,” Battle says. “They’ve served our country, often at great peril, and they continue to serve. Many of our most dedicated civic and business leaders are veterans. Public service is in their DNA, and they continue to lead the way, even as civilians.”

Veterans are the backbone of our community.”

Battle also noted the presence of Redstone Arsenal, the largest employer in Huntsville, and its many service members who have been deployed, as well as members of countless reserve units.

The kickoff to Veterans Week took place on Oct. 30 with a news conference at the Veterans Memorial. The mayor unveiled the #RedWhiteBlueHsv campaign in which residents were encouraged to demonstrate their support by flying American flags at their homes and more through Veterans Day.

The schedule

Here’s a list of some of the Veterans Week activities (for more detailed information, see the AUSA website):

Monday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m.: Vietnam Veterans Lecture Series, Jackson Center. Col. (ret’d) John Reitzell is featured speaker.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. – 1 pm.: Korean War Veterans luncheon, at the Summit at Redstone Arsenal. Gen. Gustave Perna is featured speaker.

Friday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m.: AUSA Veterans Dinner, North Hall, Von Braun Center. Cocktail hour at 5 p.m. Awards include induction of new members to Purple Heart Hall of Fame and to Huntsville-Madison County Hall of Heroes.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 8:15 a.m.: AUSA Veterans Breakfast, North Hall, Von Braun Center. Doors open at 8:15 with breakfast immediately served, program to begin at 9 a.m. Blue Star and Gold Star families to be recognized.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.: Veterans Day Parade. Through downtown Huntsville, beginning at the Veterans Memorial. Televised live by WAFF, Channel 48.