City of San Antonio Military and Veteran Affairs Department

We were honored to spend time at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), a place that represents the very best of military medicine, resilience, and care for our nation’s heroes.

Today’s visit, during the Invincible Spirit Festival, was a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of our wounded warriors, service members, and their families.

Grateful to be alongside Colonel Kelly, Commander of BAMC, whose leadership continues to ensure world-class care for our service members, and Johnny Mojica, Public Affairs and Military & Veteran Affairs with H-E-B, who plays a key role in connecting community support directly to those who serve.

Gary Sinise was presented with the BAMC volunteer vest loaded with Fiesta medals and equipped with the Military Medical City USA® logo on the back. A small but symbolic gesture recognizing his unwavering support of our military community, while also highlighting the incredible volunteers at BAMC who give their time, energy, and compassion every day. These volunteers are an essential part of the healing environment, offering comfort, connection, and a reminder that no one goes through recovery alone.

Through the Gary Sinise Foundation, he continues to go above and beyond in supporting our military community, lifting spirits, providing resources, and ensuring our heroes know they are never forgotten. His commitment is real, personal, and making a lasting impact across the country.

Huge appreciation as well to H-E-B for their continued investment in our military community. Whether it’s showing up for events like this, supporting military families, or stepping in during times of need, H-E-B consistently proves what it means to be a true community partner here in Military City USA®.

San Antonio stands proud alongside partners like these, because taking care of our service members and their families isn’t just a responsibility, it’s who we are.

® H-E-B Gary Sinise Foundation

🚂🇺🇸 All Aboard for Military City USA® 🇺🇸🚂

Last week we had the honor of celebrating the ribbon cutting of the new military-themed Warriors Heart train at the San Antonio Zoo, a unique addition that highlights our city’s deep-rooted military heritage in a fun and meaningful way for families and visitors alike.

This new attraction serves as more than just a ride, it’s a moving tribute to the men and women who serve, and a reflection of why San Antonio proudly holds the title of Military City USA®.

With every ride, guests will experience a small piece of the story that connects our community to over 300 years of military history and the strong partnerships that continue to support our service members, veterans, and their families.

A big thank you to all the partners who made this vision a reality, helping ensure that even our youngest visitors can learn about and appreciate the legacy of service that defines our city.

We were honored to attend the ribbon cutting for the new Military City USA® store at the San Antonio International Airport today.

This new storefront serves as a powerful introduction to our city for the millions of travelers who pass through San Antonio each year. From the moment visitors arrive, they will see and understand the pride our community takes in supporting our service members, veterans, and military families.

San Antonio is the only city in the nation officially designated and trademarked as Military City USA®, a recognition that reflects more than 300 years of continuous military history and the strong partnership between our community and the Department of War. With Joint Base San Antonio — the largest joint base in the United States — and one of the nation’s largest populations of active-duty personnel, veterans, and retirees, our military is truly part of the fabric of this community.

A special thank you to Paradies Lagardère for partnering to bring this store to life and for helping showcase the spirit and heritage of Military City USA® to travelers from around the world.

Proud to see this new addition at the airport and grateful for the continued support shown to those who serve.

Today we had the opportunity to visit the USAA Headquarters for the Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council (MSEAC) meeting — an important gathering of leaders committed to strengthening employment opportunities for military spouses across our community and nation.

During the meeting, Maj. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, USMC (Ret.), Director of the City of San Antonio’s Military & Veteran Affairs Department, shared how Military City USA® continues to invest in meaningful, sustainable employment pathways for military spouses. In a community that proudly supports more than 80,000 service members across Joint Base San Antonio, we ensure military spouses have access to professional opportunities essential to the readiness and stability of our military families.

The City of San Antonio has also made a direct investment in this effort by committing $150,000 annually to support military spouse fellowships through Hiring Our Heroes. These fellowships provide paid, professional opportunities that allow military spouses to gain meaningful work experience, build professional networks, and transition into long-term careers with local employers. Several spouses who began through this program have since secured permanent positions within the City and throughout the San Antonio community.

San Antonio has worked intentionally to build a strong ecosystem of support through partnerships with employers, nonprofits, and national organizations. Programs such as Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowships have created direct pipelines into high-quality careers, while local employers, including USAA, continue to lead the way in hiring and supporting military-connected talent.

Military spouses bring resilience, adaptability, leadership, and innovation to the workforce. By investing in their success, we are not only strengthening families but also strengthening our regional economy and the overall readiness of our armed forces.

Grateful to USAA for hosting today’s discussion and for their continued leadership in championing military families. Together, we remain committed to ensuring that San Antonio continues to set the national standard as Military City USA® — a community that supports those who serve and the families who stand beside them.

USAA Hiring Our Heroes

This morning, we had the privilege of sitting down for breakfast with Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient, alongside our partners at Hiring Our Heroes.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations don’t happen in boardrooms, they happen over coffee and breakfast.

Taking the time to simply sit down, listen, and talk reminds us why we do this work. Supporting veterans and transitioning service members isn’t just about programs and policies, it’s about people. It’s about understanding their journeys, their challenges, and the leadership they continue to bring to our community long after their time in uniform.

Conversations like these reinforce why partnerships matter. Hiring Our Heroes continues to bridge the gap between military service and meaningful employment, and leaders like Clint Romesha remind us of the character, resilience, and commitment that veterans carry into every chapter of life.

In Military City USA®, we know that sometimes progress starts with something simple: a seat at the table, a shared meal, and an honest conversation.

Grateful for the time, the insight, and the continued commitment to those who serve.

This weekend, we were proud to stand alongside the Conservators of the Greatest Generation at the Rooftop Oath event held at the historic 118 Broadway building in downtown San Antonio — a location deeply woven into both Marine Corps and local history.

It was on this very rooftop during World War II that the young men known as the “Weslaco Eight” took their Oath of Enlistment before heading off to serve our nation. Among them was Harlon Block, who would later help raise the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima — an image that became one of the most enduring symbols of American sacrifice and unity.

Being present in that space is a powerful reminder that history is not distant — it is living. It lives in the places where commitments were made, where courage was chosen, and where young Americans stepped forward to serve something greater than themselves.

San Antonio’s identity as Military City USA® is grounded in moments like this. By preserving these sites and honoring these stories, we ensure that the legacy of service continues to inspire future generations.

Semper Fi!

®

Volunteer registration is officially LIVE!
Register today! https://2026warriorgames.rosterfy.com/register
Shifts will be available soon.

Volunteer registration is officially LIVE! 📣
We’re calling on 300+ volunteers to stand alongside our nation’s heroes at the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio from June 13–20.

By volunteering, you’re not just helping run an event, you’re supporting wounded, ill, and injured service members as they redefine what’s possible through sport.

Register today! https://2026warriorgames.rosterfy.com/register
Shifts will be available soon.

U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command
U.S. Army Recovery Care Program
Wounded Warrior Regiment
Navy Wounded Warrior
Air Force Wounded Warrior
U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program - Care Coalition

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sign up now to be notified when volunteer shifts become available! This is Military City USA™️!

Help make the Warrior Games unforgettable! 🌟 Volunteers are needed to support our service members and veterans. Sign up today to be notified as soon as volunteer shifts are live!
🔗: https://loom.ly/U0Q4HPQ

U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command
U.S. Army Recovery Care Program
Wounded Warrior Regiment
Navy Wounded Warrior
Air Force Wounded Warrior
U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program - Care Coalition