As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month I am reminded of how much we have in Highland Village.
Our local economy is strong and now that FM 407 construction is complete, the roadway to even more success is fully open. Our residents are friendly and pull together to support each other as a community family. And we pay tribute to our area veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our country.
This year the Highland Village Business Association is hosting the 11th annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon on November 12. This event gets better and better each year because it is an opportunity for the community to thank our veterans. The HVBA seeks sponsorships from businesses and individuals so the veterans and one guest can attend the event at no charge.
Over the years Congressman Michael Burgess has presented his Congressional Commendation to nominated veterans in his district at the event. And, for many of us, the best part of the event is the time when each veteran tells everyone in attendance their name, the branch of service in which they served and a little something about their time in the service. We don’t have many World War II veterans left so we always enjoy hearing from them. In a male dominated field, it’s always interesting to hear from the women who served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS). So often these veterans tell us they don’t deserve any special recognition or that someone else they served with did far more than them; still we’ve seen that a sincere “thank you for your service” is very much appreciated and certainly deserved. If you’d like to join us for this special event, contact the city at 972-899-5131.
Continuing our Veterans Day theme, we will hold the second Honor Our Veterans ceremony at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12. A short recognition ceremony will be held to honor 16 current or former residents for their service to our country. This event will take place on the landscaped grounds of the Highland Village Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road.
Stainless steel plaques will be placed on the stone monuments adjacent to the Armed Forces Monument and the Inland Trail recognizing each of these individuals who so honorably served our country. I encourage you to attend with your kids or grandkids and share with them the importance of remembering those who have made our country free. On this Veterans Day, or any other day, if you know a veteran or see one in uniform, take the time to thank them for their service to our country. And let’s not forget the families of those who serve; they also sacrifice much.
And since November is the month of thanksgiving, let’s also remember to thank the men and women who have chosen to do business in Highland Village. We are blessed with so many nice businesses in Highland Village.
As you begin your holiday shopping, look locally first. Every purchase you make in Highland Village not only supports Highland Village businesses and their workforce, it also provides funding for our extraordinary city services and amenities. The Highland Village Business Association has made it easy for you to find everything you need to shop, taste, go, play or do in Highland Village. Their online business directory found at www.thehvba.com can be viewed on your computer, tablet or mobile device. At this site you can search for the particular business you need or browse the different categories to find something new. We hope you’ll choose to patronize our local businesses that have chosen to call Highland Village home.
The Shops at Highland Village is experiencing construction as we begin the work of building Highland Village’s Whole Foods. We look forward to the opening of this long-requested business in Highland Village in about a year. Until then, don’t let the fence and construction stop you from shopping at Stride Rite, Megan’s Lifestyle Boutique, Talbots, Janie & Jack and all the other businesses in that section of the center.
We have several new businesses here in Highland Village. In the Kroger Center, Peter’s Pizzeria opened a few months ago and brings us New Jersey-style pizza. Seven Mile Café opened in the Village Creek Center and offers home cooked breakfast, lunch and brunch with many vegan options. Fresco’s Cocina just opened and the buzz has been phenomenal. For our sports enthusiasts, Luke’s Locker is open in The Shops at Highland Village and Cadence Cyclery just opened in The Marketplace behind Walmart.
This Thanksgiving, I want you all to know how much I appreciate each of you. I am thankful for the trust you’ve placed in me to serve as your Mayor. I’m thankful for our city and the people who make it a safe, service oriented community. I’m thankful for my friends and family who God has placed in my life. Let’s all remember to count our blessings and take some time each day for praise and thankfulness.
