In honor of their selfless spirit, theCy-Fair Educational Foundation will honor our nation's heroes at a fund-raiser that contributes to an endowment in memory of Cy-Fair's fallen soldiers.

The second annual CFEF "Salute to Our Heroes" fund-raiser will take place Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Northwest Forest Conference Center, 12715 Telge Road in Cypress.

Pastor Ed Hogan and Jennifer Pittman are co-chairing the 2010 event.

Hogan said the 2009 inaugural event was extremely successful, and CFEF is sure that the second annual "Salute to Our Heroes" will be incredible.

"We have two purposes," Hogan said. "First, we want to give tribute to our heroes – soldiers serving now, veterans, and those who have been wounded or killed in action. We want to honor those who have served their country."

"The second purpose is to raise funds for scholarships for Cy-Fair ISD students," Hogan said.  "Each year we give three scholarships per Cy-Fair ISD high school, and the number of high schools is growing. It has been a challenge keeping up with the demand, but CFEF is dedicated to that mission."

Hogan said State Rep. Allen Fletcher and his son; BlakeAllen Fletcherwill be honored at the event.

The inaugural event honored Jersey Village High School graduate 1st Lt. Jeremy E. Ray, who was killed Dec. 20, 2007 while serving his country in Iraq. A CFEF endowment was established in Jeremy's memory last year by an anonymous donor.

Hogan said CFEF is also searching for information on other fallen soldiers who were from the Cy-Fair area.

 "We encourage anyone with information to contact the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation," Hogan said.

The foundation is also seeking out companies and individuals interested in purchasing sponsorships for the inaugural "Salute to Our Heroes" fund-raising event.

One such opportunity - the "Missing Man" event underwriter - sponsors the "Missing Man" table. It represents a moving and poignant tradition.

Following tradition, that table will have empty table settings with chairs leaning up against the table as though saved for someone. The table settings will have a single red rose displayed in a vase in reminder of the bloodshed for our country; and the vase will be tied with a red ribbon – a symbol of the continued pledge to shed blood for our country.  A slice of lemon on the bread plate is a reminder of the bitterness of the loss of comrades in arms; a bowl of salt to symbolize the tears shed by family members of lost loved ones; and glasses turned upside down indicate no one will sit there.

Additional sponsorship opportunities include the Freedom Sponsor, Patriot Sponsor, Liberty Sponsor, and Valor Sponsor.

There will be live and silent auctions at the event, and individual tickets will be sold. 

The "Salute to Our Heroes" event joins ranks of CFEF's two powerhouse annual fund-raisers - the B.F. Adam Classic golf tournament dinner and auction and Salute to the Stars Gala.

Through the outstanding support of board members, volunteers, sponsors and the Cy-Fair community, the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation has provided college scholarships for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) graduating seniors for more than 39 years, and Funds for Instructional Excellence Grants for educators since 1998.