A Heart of Texas Veterans Celebration will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2012.  The festivities will begin with a patriotic parade through the streets of Downtown Brownwood at 10a.m., followed by a ceremony to honor our veterans at 11am at the Depot Pavilion, and then a benefits fair from 12-2pm in the Depot Civic & Cultural Center.  There will be live entertainment, food and a flyover as well as information from federal, state, and local agencies and businesses that provide services to veterans.

The Celebration’s focus is to recognize the service of all veterans and provide information on the many benefits including healthcare, education, home loan, caregiver assistance, death benefits, and so much more that is available to veterans. The fair is open to current and former service members including active duty, guard and reserve.  Families are encouraged to attend as well.

Many agencies including the Texas Veterans Commission, the Veterans Land Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, VA Health Care, VA Benefits, National Cemetery Administration, as well as the Texas Court Reporters Association Veterans History Project and Mobile Vet Center will have representatives at the Fair. We plan to offer a “one-stop shopping” experience from over twenty local, state, and federal agencies that can help our veterans and their families learn more about benefits earned through their military service.

Additionally, all family members and caregivers of veterans as well as the community at large is encouraged to come out to support of veterans and to learn about the various services and benefits available to veterans.

The Heart of Texas Veterans Celebration is a collaborative effort between the communities of Central Texas, the Brown County Veterans Service Office, Brownwood VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Office of Rural Health.

For more information or to sign up to be in the parade contact, Billy Murphey or James Masters, Brown County Veteran Service Officers by phone at 325-646-0335 or email at vets.serv@verizon.net.  You can also contact Angie Smith, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager/Clinic Coordinator for the Brownwood VA Clinic at 325-641-0568 ext 58612 or via email at Angela.Smith3@va.gov.