Karen Huber County Commissioner: Precinct Three Report

Looking Forward to Veterans' Day

As we approach November 11, I wish to thank the men and women who have served or who currently serve our country in the United States Armed Forces. Your courage and valor are unequaled, and I appreciate the sacrifice you have made for the protection of our country, our freedom, and our way of life.

Veterans Day – originally called “Armistice Day” – began as a way to memorialize the end of the fighting of World War I and to honor American veterans who served in this war. To this end, President Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1918 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. (Though World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, fighting had ceased the previous November when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).

It was not until May 1938 that Armistice Day became a national holiday. It officially became known as Veterans Day in 1954 to honor not only the veterans of World War I but all American veterans of all wars. To this day, Veterans Day parades and rallies observe a moment of silence at 11:00 AM on November 11.

You can read more about the history on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp.

In the spirit of celebrating our heroes, I also want to alert everyone (veterans, especially) to a new law that was passed by the Texas Legislature this last session. House Bill 3613 entitles a disabled veteran who meets certain criteria to an exemption of the total appraised value of the residence homestead. In order to qualify for this exemption, the disabled veteran must have a disability rating of 100 percent and must receive 100 percent disability compensation as a result of a service-related disability. Once allowed, this exemption needs only to be claimed once by the property owner until the property changes ownership or unless the veteran's qualification for the exemption changes. (Changes to exemption are subject to verification by the chief appraiser). For partially disabled veterans, the bill increases your exemption allowance. Please feel free to contact Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Nelda Wells Spears office at 854-9473 for questions on the homestead exemption for veterans.

I encourage everyone to celebrate our veterans for their sacrifice, service and patriotism. Thank you Veterans! There are a couple of parades happening around town on November 11:

Travis County and City of Austin Veterans Day Parade
For more information: www.nov11.org, 854-9340
9:00 AM Parade kicks off from the Ann Richards Bridge (Congress Avenue
Bridge) and travels up to the Capitol
11:00 AM Ceremony at the South Capitol steps

Lakeway’s Veterans Day Event
For more information: 608-9533
11:00 AM Ceremony at the Spirit of Freedom Monument at Lakeway’s
Heritage Park at the corner of Lohmans Crossing and Hurst Creek Roads