U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (R-Plano) will welcome 9/11 pilot Major Heather Penney as the keynote speaker for his annual Congressional Veterans Commendation Ceremony Nov. 14 at Collin College's Spring Creek campus. The ceremony, which will honor 12 Collin County veterans, begins at 1 p.m. Honorees include two veterans from McKinney, two from Frisco, and four from Plano. “It’s truly my honor to congratulate this year’s twelve veteran honorees,” said Johnson in a news release. “These men come from all across Collin County. They represent several military branches and a wide array of ranks. I look forward to paying these outstanding veterans tribute for their military and civilian service.” Penney was one of two Air Force pilots deployed on 9/11 with orders to take down Flight 93 with her own aircraft before the terrorists reached Washington, D.C. “North Texas is a deeply patriotic community, and as such we are home to many exceptional veterans,” said Johnson.   “As a 29-year Air Force veteran and POW, I understand firsthand how important it is for a community to support its men and women in uniform – both while they serve and when they come home.   That’s why I’m proud to host the CVC – it’s an opportunity for us to take time out of our busy schedules and thank our local veterans for their service and sacrifice to our great nation.” The John Anthony Theater at Collin College is located at 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.