By Yesenia Camacho
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 40th Celebrate America’s Military (CAM) celebration Monday, with a press conference at the Freeman Coliseum’s Exposition Hall.
CAM is a week-long event that celebrates and pays tribute to the local active duty and retired service members and is organized by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the local business community.
This year’s CAM is November 2 -11, 2010, and features over a dozen events that celebrate and honor the men and women of the United States armed forces.
“The military have made extraordinary personal sacrifices for each and every one of us to endure the freedom we enjoy every day,” said Donald E. Taylor, retired Air Force colonel and chairman of Celebrate America’s Military committee.
Throughout the 11-day celebration, daily events will honor active and retired service members. The U.S. Military Parade, AirFest 2010 at Lackland Air Force Base and an AudioMouth band concert are all events that are expected to be well attended.
President and CEO of The San Antonio Chamber, Richard H. Perez recognized that the CAM program would not be possible without the support of its sponsors. Wal-Mart and Silver Eagle Distributors were this year’s sponsors.
Sponsors took the opportunity at the press conference to explain why they got involved.
“At Wal-Mart, we appreciate the service of our nation’s military men and women, their families and our veterans. As a company, we are committed to standing with our military in whatever ways are possible, and the opportunity to be part of CAM week is simply an extension of that support,” said David Drastata, Wal-Mart’s San Antonio-based marketing manager.
President and CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, John L. Nau said, “I spent some time in the marines and I recognize and appreciate the important sacrifices that our active duty military personnel make every day here at home and around the world.”
With their joined forces, Wal-Mart and Silver Eagle Distributors along with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s family encourage all community members to join the Celebrate America’s Military program in order to help promote and communicate the cause.
“We set aside an entire week to honor our men and women in the military. We are asking all San Antonians to thank them, to give them their salute,” said Carri Baker Wells, the chamber’s chairman of the board.
Christina Garza contributed to this report.
