Carnival Cruise Line Recognizes Houston Military Heroes With Special Onboard Tribute in Honor of Veterans Day
In celebration of Veterans Day, Carnival Cruise Line partnered with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to honor more than 150 Houston-area veterans with a tribute reception and luncheon aboard the Carnival Breeze cruise ship in the Port of Galveston.
Carnival presented every Veteran present with a commemorative coin in honor of Veterans Day and even donated 15-passenger van to the VA to assist with transportation of Veterans participating in its programs and services.
“For many of our Veterans, transportation can be a major barrier to receiving the healthcare that they so need and very much deserve,” said Lindsey Crain, Deputy Medical Center Director of the Houston VA. “This 15-passenger van will make a huge difference in the lives of our patients and we truly can’t thank Carnival enough for their support of our VA and our Veterans.”
The event in Galveston, Texas, was one of six ceremonies Carnival is hosting across the country to honor hundreds of Veterans and active-duty military members in Carnival’s homeport cities this week. During Veterans Day week similar events will be taking place in Miami, Orlando and Tampa in Florida; Long Beach, Calif; and New Orleans, La.
“Veterans and active armed forces members have sacrificed in service of their country, and so this is our way of showing them the gratitude they so deserve,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “It is an honor to partner with the Houston VA and welcome these brave men and women aboard Carnival Breeze, just as it is an honor to carry more active and retired military than other cruise line.”
Carnival has a long-standing relationship with Operation Homefront to support military families and has held a Military Appreciation Gathering on every cruise since 2016. In 2023, the fleet will host more than 1,500 military gatherings attended by thousands of military service members and their families.