North Texas military veterans and their families are invited to Cowboys Stadium this weekend for an event intended to ease their transition from combat to their community.
CAMO Dallas will link veterans to support organizations and offer physical exams, as well as a free picnic and a concert by Amy Grant and Vince Gill, according to Challenge America, a Colorado-based nonprofit that is hosting the event.More than 50 organizations that support veterans will be at the stadium."We recognize that in order to give back to our veterans, community is going to be key," said Houston Cowan, founder and CEO of Challenge America. "Our main goal is to connect military veterans and their families to all the resources that are available in their community."Between 3,000 and 4,000 people are expected to attend, he said.Challenge America says it works with communities nationwide to link new and existing services and to support the development of recreational, occupational and housing programs for veterans. Officials hope to create a model for providing services that all communities can use.Cowboys Stadium was chosen to launch a new initiative, Challenge America Military Opportunities, partly because more than 1.6 million veterans live in Texas, Cowan said. Organizers want to hold similar events in other cities.CAMO Dallas includes invitation-only workshops for women in the military, organizations that serve veterans and businesses that hire them. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a surgeon and television personality, will perform 15-minute physicals for veterans who register before the event.At 4 p.m. Saturday, the doors open to veterans with any form of military identification, their families and their friends.During that part of the event, event sponsors and members of organizations that help veterans will staff tables and booths where veterans can get information.Or veterans can visit a "family fun area" that will have a football throw, a hoops station and other sports.Veterans and their families will gather for a picnic on the field.The concert starts at 7 p.m.Alex Branch, 817-390-7689Twitter: @albranch1
If you go
CAMO Dallas is from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Entry is free for active military members, veterans, their families and their friends. Entry is also free for families of fallen servicemen and women and members of organizations that serve veterans.
To register for a checkup with Dr. Mehmet Oz or to learn more, visit www.challengeamerica.com.
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