San Antonio, Converse honors veterans with parades ahead of Veterans Day

Communities across the San Antonio area gathered Saturday to honor men and women who served in the U.S. military.

For Navy veteran Alec Enoch, the Converse Veteran’s Day parade was an important reminder of the sacrifices service members make.

“People tend to forget,” Enoch said, “but this right here reminds everybody.”

Purple Heart recipient Michael Rodriguez said he makes it a point to stay connected with fellow veterans in Converse, with the help of the local American Legion.

“For starters, I feel like a good network into connecting with the resources that veterans may need,” Rodriguez said of the American Legion. “So they do hold a lot of functions as far as health resources.”

He said the organization also plays a visible role in bringing residents together.

“The American Legion here is very heavy in the community,” Rodriguez said. “They hold weekly events, you know, bring the community together, you know, like steak night and things like that.”

In downtown San Antonio, crowds gathered along Houston Street for the U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association’s 26th annual Veterans Parade.

The association said this year’s parade included nearly 100 entries. Among the participants was San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force veteran.

The events served as part of the region’s broader Veterans Day commemorations, with communities continuing to recognize local veterans and the families who support them.

If you are a veteran or know one who requires financial assistance, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Alamo Chapter 1836 is offering help for essential living expenses. You can click here to learn more.

You can also visit the city of San Antonio’s website, under Veterans Resources, to connect you with benefits, housing, employment, and more.