Central Texas observes Veterans Day Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 11 2009 05:53 AM From staff reports

Several local events and programs are planned across Central Texas today in observance of Veterans Day.

Killeen's annual Veterans Day parade will take place beginning at 11 a.m. today in downtown Killeen.

The lineup will be along Avenue E, and the parade will kick off at City Hall, Avenue D and College Street.

The grand marshal for the parade will be retired Gen. Robert Shoemaker, a former Army aviator and commander of the 1st Cavalry Division and III Corps.

Shoemaker was also assigned as deputy commander, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORCOM) and a year later was promoted to general and became commander of FORSCOM.

An awards ceremony and a reception will be held after the parade at American Legion Post 223 at 1:30 p.m.

The "Order of the Silver Rose" medal will be presented to seven local Vietnam veterans by the Armed Forces E9 Association and District 54 state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock. The event is open to the public.

The post is at 208 S. Park St. in Killeen.

The parade is sponsored by the Central Texas Area Veterans Advisory Committee, area veterans organizations and the city of Killeen.

All area veterans are asked to wear their military decorations and awards.

Other area events today:

A wreath-laying ceremony honoring those who have served, are serving and will serve in our Armed Forces begins at 10 a.m. today along U.S. Highway 190 west of Killeen.

Col. William Hill, garrison commander at Fort Hood, will conduct the ceremony at the Blue Star Memorial Marker near Clear Creek Road.

Blue Star Memorial, named for the star in the Service Flag, is a project of the National Council of State Garden Clubs and the Highway Commission adopted in 1945 .

The public is invited.

The marker is at the eastbound service road of U.S. Highway 190, about half a mile from the Clear Creek Road exit.

For more information, call Marlene Gillman at (254) 628-7762.

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System will honor the nation's veterans with ceremonies today in Temple and Waco.

Waco's ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. at the Waco VA Medical Center – Avenue of Flags.

Keynote speaker will be U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco.

The Connally High School Band is set to perform, along with Miss Texas 2009 Kristen Blair.

At 11 a.m., a ceremony will take place at the Temple VA Medical Center.

Congressman John Carter will salute veterans at the Temple ceremony.

Retired Navy Capt. Dave Carey, a former prisoner of war, will be the keynote speaker at the Temple VA ceremony.

Carey was a POW for more than five years in the "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War. Today, Carey is a renowned author and motivational speaker.

Both ceremonies include the placing of wreaths at the names of veterans who were added to the memorial war this year.

Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals earned during military service at these ceremonies and other Veterans Day ceremonies.

For more information, call (254) 231-9639 or (254) 534-0304.