The Temple Chamber of Commerce hosted the 38th annual Military & First Responder Salute: An American Celebration, presented by the American Legion Post #133 and H-E-B on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. The event returned to the traditional in-person luncheon at the Mayborn Convention Center for the first time since 2019.
 
Hundreds of business community members united to celebrate and honor the Central Texas military, veterans, and first responders.
 
Active-duty soldiers from Temple’s Central Texas Military Partners at Fort Hood including, III Armored Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, 13th ESC, Garrison Command, and the 1st Medical Brigade, along with the 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ABCT)/Texas Army National Guard located in Temple were part of the celebration.
 
Veterans through the American Legion Post #133 and VFW Post #1820 were also part of the celebration.
 
A group of Veterans from the William R. Courtney State Veterans Home also attended the event. This group of a dozen veterans included a World Ward II Veteran, Purple Heart recipients, and Bronze Star and Silver Star recipients. Bell County First Responders led a special procession for the veterans, escorting them from the Central Texas Veterans Health Care Campus to the Mayborn.
 
Beginning in 2020, the Chamber incorporated First Responders into this annual recognition event. Local law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, and medical and health care professionals rounded out the honorees at this year’s event.
 
This year’s event included a special presentation by Major General John B. Richardson IV, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Regiment/Fort Hood.
 
The Chamber was proud to bring the business community together to salute those who have given so much.
 
Through this event, the Chamber united the business community and saluted and honored those who have given so much.
 
Photos from the 38th Military & First Responder Salute can be found at templechamber.com/mfrs2022.

​The Temple Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 38th annual Military & First Responder Salute: An American Celebration, presented by the American Legion Post #133 and H-E-B on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. The event will take place from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple.
 
“The 38th Military & First Responder Salute is significant for many reasons,” said Rod Henry, President and CEO of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “First, we are returning to the traditional luncheon event at Mayborn Convention Center.”
 
The annual event was last held in-person at the Mayborn Convention Center in 2019. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, both the 2020 and 2021 events were reimagined to virtual presentations and drive-thru lunch to go events. The past two years, the Chamber, H-E-B Partners, and business community volunteers prepared and served hamburger boxed lunches for Temple’s Central Texas Military Partners, veterans, first responders, and the community.
 
“Second, we continue the appreciation of the Armed Forces through representation from Fort Hood and the Texas Army National Guard in Temple and our local veteran community,” Henry continued.
 
Active-duty soldiers from Temple’s Central Texas Military Partners the 13th ESC/Fort Hood, 1st Medical Brigade/Fort Hood, and Garrison Command/Fort Hood, along with the 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ABCT)/Texas Army National Guard located in Temple, are invited as honored guests. As are veterans through local veterans’ organizations including the American Legion Post #133 and VFW Post #1820.
 
“Finally, we are embracing the women and men who as First Responders, protect and serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” expressed Henry.
 
Beginning in 2020, the Chamber incorporated First Responders into this annual recognition event. Local law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, and medical and health care professionals will continue to be invited as honored guests.
 
This year’s event includes a special presentation by Major General John B. Richardson IV, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Regiment/Fort Hood.
 
Through this annual tradition, the Chamber unites the business com­munity to give back and honor those who have given so much.
 
Further event information can be found at www.templechamber.com. For more information, contact the Temple Chamber of Commerce at (254) 773-2105.

​The Temple Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 37th annual Military & First Responder Salute presented by the American Legion Post #133 and H-E-B on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. The drive-thru lunch to go event will take place from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at the City of Temple Central Fire Station located at 201 N. Third Street in downtown Temple.
 
With continued uncertainty with large gatherings, this year’s drive-thru lunch to go event replaces the annual in-person luncheon at the Mayborn Convention Center.
 
“We are excited to continue our annual tradition of celebrating and saluting our Central Texas Military partners and veterans,” noted Rod Henry, Temple Chamber President. “Like the 2020 event, we are also incorporating First Responders into the recognition to show our gratitude for their efforts on the front lines of the pandemic.”
 
The Chamber, H-E-B, and volunteers will be preparing and serving lunch to go to our Central Texas Military Partners, the 13th ESC/Fort Hood, 1st Medical Brigade/Fort Hood, Garrison Command/Fort Hood, and the 278th Armored Cavalry/TxANG, local veterans, law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, and medical/health care professionals.
 
Chamber staff have coordinated pre-orders with partners, veteran organizations, food kitchens, and event sponsors with groups of 10 or more, and the community, including walk-ups, are also invited to drive-thru and grab lunch to go, while supplies last.
 
Through this event, the Chamber is uniting the business community to salute and honor those who have given so much.
 
To learn more about the 37th Military & First Responder Salute visit templechamber.com/mal2021.