What’s Happening for Houston Veterans This Week (Dec 29–Jan 4)
Hello Civvie!
This is our inaugural newsletter – your weekly briefing on what’s happening across the Houston veteran community.
Each Monday, we’ll share local events, veteran spotlights, resources, and opportunities, all in one place, so you don’t have to hunt for them. If it’s happening locally and matters to veterans, you’ll find it here.
Now, it’s time to Civvie Up 🤠🐎🫡
📆 VETERAN EVENTS
🎊 December 29-31
American Legion Fireworks Stand
🕖 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Katy, TX
Buy your fireworks to support local veterans at the American Legion Post 164 (Katy)
🥳 December 31
New Year’s Eve Party
🕖 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
📍 Cypress, TX
Join the New Year’s Eve Gathering at VFW Post 8905 (Cypress). Members and non-members are welcome.
☕ January 2
Lit Java Veteran Coffee Meet Up
🕖 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Pearland, TX
Free brewed coffee (iced or hot) for veterans, and/or 50% off other drinks and eats. Representatives will be available to help with filing disability claims.
🍳 January 3
Breakfast with a Veteran
🕖 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Katy, TX
American Legion & Elks Breakfast with a Veteran. A relaxed, welcoming way to connect with fellow veterans over breakfast.
💻 January 9
HRVCC Weekly Virtual Meeting
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Virtual (Zoom)
Grow your knowledge and network of veteran-owned businesses through this weekly virtual meeting.
🎄 January 10
Wreath Clean-Up Day (Houston National Cemetery)
🕚 8:00 AM
📍 Houston, TX
Come out and volunteer with Wreaths Across America to pick up the wreaths for recycling.
🎳 January 25
Higher Ground Bowling
🕜 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Humble, TX
A free bowling event for military, veterans, and first responders only.
💼 January 28
Veterans Connect Career & Benefits Expo
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Houston, TX
Designed to help veterans build meaningful connections, explore job opportunities, and navigate their next career move.
🏃 February 1
Miles for our Military 5K Run
🕐 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Tomball, TX
Join this 5K Run to rasie money for Boots For Troops, which sends "The World's Greatest Care Packages" to our deployed troops around the world.
🧑💻 February 19
DAV | RecruitMilitary Houston Veterans Job Fair
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Houston, TX
A hiring event exclusively for transitioning service members, veterans with civilian experience, National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses.
🎯 March 6
Warrior Benefit 18th Annual Sporting Clay Tournament
🕢 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Katy, TX
Come honor and shoot alongside post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans at this annual sporting clay tournament.
🏛️ March 25
Government Sales Bootcamp
🕗 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Houston, TX
Learn the field-tested playbook used to win $500M+ in U.S. government contracts, led by Lt. Col. (Ret) Rick Howard.
🚀 April 8–9
Veteran Business Battle
📍 Houston, TX
Hosted by Rice University, connecting veteran entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and resources to help scale their businesses.
✈️ April 25
Honor Flight Houston – Welcome Home
🕡 6:45 PM
📍 Hobby Airport, Houston
A powerful community celebration welcoming our veterans home.
🫡 Know an Event We Should Share?
If you’re hosting or attending a veteran-focused event in the Houston area → [Submit here]
🌟 VETERAN SPOTLIGHT
Matthew Johnson — Got UR 6ix Culture & Same Flag Same Oath
Matt operates two distinct—but connected—brands, both rooted in service and community.
Got UR 6ix Culture is the custom apparel side of the business, built for organizations that need reliable, high-quality merch without the usual friction. Veteran groups, nonprofits, and local businesses rely on Matt for straightforward, affordable custom gear—delivered on time and without unnecessary fees.
Alongside that is Same Flag Same Oath, a veteran-owned apparel brand grounded in pride, service, and authenticity. As Matt puts it, it’s “zero-bullshit apparel built for the ones who served—and still serve.” It’s gear veterans actually want to wear because it reflects who they are and what they’ve lived.
Matt is a U.S. Navy veteran and Houston-area business owner who recently produced all the shirts for the Houston Veterans Army–Navy Game Watch Party, delivering locally and stress-free.
Matt joined the Navy in 1996, served in the Seabees running construction and heavy equipment, transitioned into recruiting after 9/11, and retired in 2019. Like many veterans, he expected the transition to civilian life to be easier. He states, “We’re told our skills are valuable—but not how to translate them.”
Before starting his business, Matt tried several paths—real estate, staffing, and construction-related roles—before finding his lane. In 2021, when his wife sketched a logo and asked if he’d wear it, everything clicked. That moment sent him to what he calls “YouTube University,” where he taught himself apparel production hands-on. He later used remaining GI Bill benefits to earn a graphic design degree to do the work right.
But real growth came when Matt started showing up in the veteran community—building relationships through organizations like the VFW, American Legion, Houston Regional Veteran Chamber of Commerce, Project Zero Alliance, Camp Hope, and the Texas Veterans Athletic Association.
One relationship led to another. One event led to the next.
That’s how community-built businesses grow.
Support Matt’s local veteran-owned businesses:
👉 got-ur-6ix.com
👉 sameflagsameoath.com
🫡 Know a Veteran or Passionate-Patriot We Should Spotlight?
Help us spotlight those who are giving back and making an impact in the Houston veteran community → [Share here]
Did you know that $172 Billion of Government Contracts are set aside for small businesses?
Most Never Touch It.
The U.S. government spends $750B+ every year—and is required to award 23% to small businesses.
Yet 90% never win a single contract.
Not because they aren’t qualified.
Because they don’t have a strategy.
Learn the federal contracting playbook from Lt. Col (Ret.) Rick Howard, a retired Air Force acquisitions officer who managed $82B+ in contracts and has helped 400+ businesses win $500M+ in federal awards.
👉 Stop guessing. Learn the system that actually wins. Free training.
🏪 FEATURED BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS
🎖️VETERAN-OWNED
The Axeperience (Tomball)
Trendy indoor axe-throwing venue with digital and traditional axe-throwing lanes, combining competition, fun, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Veterans receive 20% off.
Sienna Smokers BBQ Catering (Missouri City)
Homestyle food catering serving fine smoked meats, signature sides, and desserts.
Expert pressure washing and exterior cleaning for homes and businesses.
⭐ PASSIONATE-PATRIOTS
The Wakefield Crowbar (Houston)
Family-friendly restaurant and sports bar with volleyball courts, outdoor patio, and kids' play area. Veterans receive 20% off.
Revolution Financial Management (Kimberly Schultz)
Specializes in working with veterans on budgeting, savings, debt management, life insurance, retirement planning, and strategies for building generational wealth.
🛡️ VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION
Houston Regional Veteran Chamber of Commerce (Houston)
Community of veterans, entrepreneurs, and business professionals committed to fostering economic growth, collaboration, and success.
Helping veterans with all aspects of developing a business idea, planning, and implementing the plan.
Provides suicide prevention and reduction for veterans and first responders by healing invisible wounds through holistic modalities and providing year-round Warriors for Life Online Peer Support.
🫡 Is there a business or organization we should feature?
Let's us know about more Houston businesses and organizations supporting the veteran community → [Send here]
Helping Veterans Overcome VA Claims Denial
A VA insider’s insight on how to fight back and WIN your VA benefits.
Explore 40 of the most frequent reasons Veterans’ claims are denied and formulate a plan to overcome any obstacle to your rightful VA benefits.
🤝 GET INVOLVED
• Tell us about yourself: Let us hear from you → [Share here]
• Know of a veteran event? Submit it → [Submit here]
• Have a story idea, business, or veteran to spotlight? Send it → [Send it here]
• Want to advertise or partner with The Civvie? Reach out → [Contact us]
