Nearly 24 years after the tragic events of September 11, Austinites will once again gather to honor the nation’s fallen heroes, veterans and first responders. 

In remembrance of 9/11, Austin will host two meaningful events:

• Stand Together Presents Old Dominion at Moody Center: This second annual benefit concert will take place on Thursday, Sept. 11, featuring multi-platinum-selling country group Old Dominion, with Austin-Native Ty Myers and special guest John Morgan. All net ticket revenue will go directly to the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). 
• TMF’s Annual Heroes Run: On Sunday, Sept. 14, at Camp Mabry, all those who wish to honor the sacrifices of veterans can register in a show of support for their community.

These events arrive at a critical moment. Since 9/11, four times as many U.S. service members and veterans have died by suicide as in combat. Nearly 20 veterans take their lives each day, making suicide the leading cause of death among active duty soldiers. TMF’s mission is to fight this crisis with connection, character and service.

Who is Travis Manion?

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Travis Manion gave his life in Iraq on April 29, 2007, heroically drawing fire away from his wounded patrol so they could survive. For his bravery, he received the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor. Born in Camp Lejeune and raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Travis was a standout student-athlete and later a motivating leader at the Naval Academy. 

He now rests at Arlington National Cemetery beside his best friend, Lt. Brendan Looney. His legacy lives on through the TMF  and the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos embraced by more than 300,000 Spartans nationwide.

Monica Velez: Service as Healing

The legacy of Travis and his mission lives on through leaders like Monica Velez, a Gold Star Sister who lost both of her brothers, Cpl. Jose “Freddy” Velez and Spc. Andrew Velez, to war. Today she serves as a TMF Chapter Leader and Veteran Mentor in Austin, helping others find purpose through community. We spoke with Monica, and she shared how TMF has impacted her own journey, why these events matter and what gives her hope for the future.

How has the Travis Manion Foundation community supported your own journey of healing?

My TMF family has given me a space where service and healing intersect. Being surrounded by people who share a common mission of honoring our fallen heroes reminds me that grief doesn’t have to exist in isolation—it can be transformed into purpose. Through TMF, I’ve been able to channel my family’s losses into action, finding healing not just in what I do, but in the community that does it with me.

Can you tell me about your role as a Veteran Mentor and TMF Chapter Leader?

As a Mentor and part of the TMF Chapter Leadership, my role is twofold: to help guide young people in understanding the values of character, leadership and service, and to lead our community in creating opportunities for remembrance and impact.  Whether it’s mentoring students, coordinating service projects locally, or organizing the 9/11 Heroes Run here in Austin, I see my role as helping to carry forward the “If Not Me, Then Who…” mission in everything I do and ensuring that our veterans and their families and our fallen are never forgotten.

Why do you think events like the Moody Center Benefit Concert and the Heroes Run are so powerful for honoring veterans and families of the fallen?

Events like these bring remembrance into the heart of the community. The benefit concert and the Heroes Run aren’t just symbolic—they’re an active demonstration that our city and our nation have not forgotten the sacrifices made by veterans and the families of the fallen, and that we are keeping our vow never to forget by creating shared experiences where people of all backgrounds can stand together, reflect and commit themselves to service. That is the most powerful way to honor them and transform remembrance into action.

Suicide among veterans remains a devastating crisis. What message do you most want the public to hear about how they can help?

The most important message is that prevention isn’t just about programs or policies—it’s about the people. Veterans need connection, community and a sense of purpose. Every person can play a role, whether by reaching out to a veteran they know, supporting organizations that fight isolation or simply choosing to listen. You don’t have to have all the answers; sometimes just being present can save a life.

This year marks 24 years since 9/11. What does it mean to you to see Austinites come together in remembrance and service?

It’s incredibly moving. Each year, when I see Austinites gather at Camp Mabry for the Heroes Run, I’m reminded of the events of 9/11. Still, it was not just the tragedy—but our resilience, unity and service in communities across our nation —that came together to be there for one another. Twenty-four years later, people still show up to remember, to honor and to serve. That commitment keeps the stories of our fallen alive, and it inspires the next generation to carry their values forward.

Looking ahead, what gives you hope as you continue your work with TMF?

What gives me hope is the next generation. When I see students like Charlie, Sam, Savanna, Will and others that I’ve mentored take initiative in their schools or communities, or when I watch young volunteers show up on race day ready to serve, I know that the mission is alive and growing. TMF has built something that extends far beyond one person or one moment—it’s a movement of character and service that will outlast us all. That gives me hope. 

How to Participate

Tickets for the benefit concert are on sale now, with all proceeds benefiting TMF’s programs nationwide. Registration for the 9/11 Heroes Run at Camp Mabry is also open. For Austinites, these events are an invitation to honor the fallen and uplift their communities. 

As Monica reminds us: grief can be transformed into purpose, and remembrance can be a call to action.

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Cover photo courtesy Travis Manion Foundation.

Sara Aguinaga is a dedicated massage therapist and editorial contributor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She loves indulging in spa treatments, exploring diverse cuisines and traveling. Follow her on Instagram @sweetsaraadventures