Mayor Annise Parker, other officials in region honor vets

Annise Parker has been the mayor of Houston, TX since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2010. Parker is Houston's second female mayor, and one of the first openly gay mayors of a major U.S. city. Official photo.

Texas, US officials to honor vets across the state
(AP) Several federal and state elected officials will participate in events Monday in honor of Veterans Day.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will be in Houston for three events. Cornyn and Houston Mayor Annise Parker will participate in a ceremony awarding the French Legion of Honor Medal to several Texas World War II veterans who served in France.

Cornyn, Parker and the Houston area's U.S. House delegation will attend the city's 15th annual "Houston Salutes American Heroes."

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Cornyn will join another event at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, will be in Dallas, and state Sen. Wendy Davis, candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, will be in the Fort Worth area.

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson will be in San Antonio.

Veterans Day events planned across Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Several Veterans Day events are planned across Arkansas.

Monday's ceremonies include Gov. Mike Beebe at the Arkansas Veterans Day Ceremony in the River Market in Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a ceremony at the Donaghey Student Center.

Other ceremonies include one scheduled in DeWitt and one at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.

Veterans Day began as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, to mark the end of World War I. The name was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize those who served in all American wars.

Veterans Day ceremonies scheduled in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Several Veterans Day ceremonies are scheduled across Oklahoma.

Monday's events include activities at Fort Sill, in Oklahoma City and Enid.

Gov. Mary Fallin and Vietnam POW Col. Lee Ellis will speak during an event at Woodring Airport in Enid. Fort Sill will host a ceremony at McNair Hall.

A ceremony is also planned at Southeast High School's gymnasium in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Air National Guard Col. David Burgy will speak during the 45th Infantry Division ceremony at the Oklahoma Military Department in Oklahoma City.

Veterans Day began as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, to mark the end of World War I. The name was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize those who served in all American wars.

Missouri Gov. Nixon plans to attend military events

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon travels to Springfield this weekend to speak at a deployment ceremony for a Missouri National Guard unit.

About 100 members of the Guard's 1107th Aviation Group are heading to southwest Asia to perform aviation depot repair and other work in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

The deployment ceremony will be held Sunday morning at the Oasis Convention Center in Springfield. Nixon's office says the upcoming deployment will be the unit's fourth.

On Monday, Nixon will be in eastern Missouri to attend a student-led Veterans Day event at Hermann High School in Hermann.

Kansas gubernatorial candidate walks for Veterans in Emporia

(Emporia, KS) Gubernatorial candidate Paul Davis will walk for Veteran's Day in Emporia in the Emporia Veteran's Day Parade, Monday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 am - Lineup starts at 8:15 am at 4th and Mechanic, Emporia, KS. Anyone who are veterans, related to a veteran, or just appreciate military personnel's service to our country are welcome.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Published - The Gayly, November, 11, 2013. 7:50 am