Parade honors vets, celebrates Astros opening

A parade to welcome home returning Iraq veterans, hosted by the City of Houston in conjunction with the Astros 2012 opening weekend festivities, will be held starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7.

The parade will begin at the corner of Texas and San Jacinto, continue east on Texas to Crawford and then north on Crawford to Congress before ending at Minute Maid Park.

"I want to thank Jim Crane and the Astros for joining with the city in planning this event," said Mayor Annise Parker in a press release. "It is an opportunity to support and thank the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and time away from loved ones to preserve our freedom. We owe them a debt of gratitude and recognition that their service is appreciated. Please come show your support."

"America and our military have always had a special place in the heart of baseball fans throughout the country and especially here in Houston," said Jim Crane, Astros owner and chairman. "It's only fitting that we will celebrate these brave men and women with a parade that culminates with a ceremony at Minute Maid Park. We are honored to be asked by Mayor Parker and the city to be a part of this special event."

An on-field ceremony will be held inside Minute Maid Park just prior to the Astros game starting at 6:05 p.m.  During the ceremony, Chase and Operation Homefront will present one veteran with the gift of a mortgage-free home.

Free tickets will be given to uniformed parade participants and their immediate families. Discounted tickets are available for friends and extended family members, parade participants and veteran organizations through astros.com/troops.