March 18, 2009, was a stellar afternoon indeed for 1600 local service members and their families honored for their selfless service and sacrifice to our country.  Salute to Our Troops Troops (Houston Texas) was brought together with generous support and contributions of eighty-eight (88) Donor Friends and the hard work of Salute Team volunteers.

Nash3 returned to the stage for the event’s second year setting the tone for the heart felt celebration. Salute to Our Troops Celebration opened with the reading of “The Flag”, written by Baxter Black and presented by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee Member and Past President and Chairman of the Board, Jim Bloodworth. Colors were marched across the stage by the Marine Color Guard. Country music artist, Keni Thomas & Cornbread sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem perfectly synchronized with the two-ship USAF F-16 Flyover by USAF ISR Agency HQ, Lackland AFB.

Mayor of the City of Houston, Bill White joined in celebration proclaiming March 18, 2009 as “Salute to Our Troops Day” in Houston, Texas.  On behalf of Mayor White, the formal Proclamation was presented by City Councilman and military veteran, Peter Brown to Salute to Our Troops (Houston Texas) Founder and Coordinator, Robin Young-Ellis.   

"I am honored to accept this Proclamation on behalf of our Donor Friends, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston community who have embraced this program to pay tribute to our troops and their families for their great sacrifices, and some who have paid the ultimate price defending our freedom,"  Young-Ellis said to the crowd. "This celebration is our way to say thank you”. 

Festivities were highlighted with a concert by To The Fallen Records Tour featuring former U.S. Army Ranger and country music artists and songwriter, Keni Thomas & Cornbread; acoustic performance by U.S. Marine veteran and musician, Chad Van Rys; and an acoustic performance by U.S. Marine veteran and musican, Cliff Hudson.

The program included special commemorative remarks by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Chairman of the Board, Butch Robinson, President Skip Wagner, Chief Operating Officer Leroy Shafer and General Manager, Joe Bruce Hancock; U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer of the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Captain Adam S. Collett (Houston, TX); City of Houston Director of Veterans Affairs, Buddy Grantham; 2008 Ms. Wheelchair Texas, Michele Colvard (Houston, TX);  USO President and CEO Sloan D. Gibson (Washington, DC); and USO Celebrity Ambassador, Wayne Newton (Las Vegas, NV).

Keeping with the tribute, the celebration was emceed by KPRC Local 2 News Traffic Reporter Jennifer Reyna and 950 KPRC-AM Radio Mojo and Houston Radio Legend Outlaw Dave (formerly of Rock 101, KLOL and Rock of 103.7 KIOL).

Among the special guests for the Salute Day events included active duty and reservist men and women and their families of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, Texas Air National Guard and the Texas Army National Guard, The American Widows Project; American Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families; Wounded Warriors Project;  Project Victory; Vet’s Journey Home; Texas A&M Entrepreneurial Boot Camp; Helping a Hero; Operation Lone Star Texans Supporting Our Troops; National Memorial Ladies; and local and national USO officials.

Following the day’s special tribute and Celebration, the troops and their families, Donor Friends and special guest made their way into Reliant Stadium for the evening. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off with their Grand Entry where Rodeo’s Executive Committee and Directors rode in by horseback.  Special guests of the Grand Entry included the U.S. Calvary Platoon, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Newton, USO officials, Wounded Warriors Project, Project Victory, Vet’s Journey Home and representatives of the Armed Forces. The exciting evening included the 2009 RODEOHOUSTON™ BP Super Series 101 and performance by country music artist Gary Allan.

Other activities surrounding the day’s patriotic festivities were the static displays located on the Reliant grounds, including the U.S. Coast Guard defender boat; 12-passenger 43’ U.S. Navy Blue Angels Simulator; The American Widows Project Mobile RV; U.S. Marine Corps H3 Hummer and Blowup DI; USO Mobile Unit; BAE Caiman Cat/MRAP II; Texans Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall and the U.S. Army Platoon Calvary.