Kemah Salute to Military Service to feature Apache chopper

KEMAH, TX (KTRK) -- Veterans Day is off to an early start at a very popular weekend spot. A huge salute to our military is now underway in Kemah.

The Apache, in addition to two other military choppers, are among the many attractions to be part of the Salute to Military Service at the Boardwalk this weekend.

This is the fifth year for the big event in honor of Veterans Day. It allows civilians an up-close look at the aircraft our military uses in combat to protect our troops on the ground.

We talked to the Apache pilot about how the mother of a fellow service member thanked him.

Maj. Derrick Hart, battalion executive officer, 1-158th Aviation Regiment of the Army Reserve in Conroe, recalled, " 'If it wasn't for you flying that aircraft my son wouldn't have made it home.' And that's our role, I mean our role is to support the ground troops, whether they're in a convoy or actively engaging the enemy, that's our job to support them."

Mark Kane, of Landry's said, "We recognize that the foundations of this country was built on the backs of our military and their sacrifices and every chance we get to give them a good day, we want to give them a good day."

The event runs through Sunday.