CY-FAIR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HONORS MILITARY HEROES

The Foundation will have it's sixth "Salute to Our Heroes" event on February 8, 2014 at the Omni Hotel Westside Houston.   "Salute to Our Heroes" honors the brave men and women who have served to preserve our freedom and liberty. Proceeds from this event go to an endowment enabling graduating students from CFISD to attend college. 

The 2013 event was generously underwritten by Earthcare Management and Kodiak Gas Services, as the Missing Man Underwriters.  The Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital was the Major General Sponsor.

Last  year our guest speaker was Steve Russell.  LTC Steve Russell (Ret) commanded the central unit responsible in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. Through leadership and joint efforts across multiple teams, a large organization worked effectively to capture one of the world's most notorious criminals. Russell is an American Hero. His proven leadership and problem-resolution techniques engage audiences through his storytelling.
Our 2014 speaker will be Martha McSally the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat, and the first to command a fighter squadron in combat in United States history.

Salute to Our Heroes has two purposes. First,  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.  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 this mission.

The inaugural event honors 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 by an anonymous donor. Last year the 1st Lieutenant Jeremy Ray Community Service and Peace Award was presented to Terry Taylor.

Following tradition, the event had a Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony. The table had empty table settings with chairs leaning up against the table as though saved for someone. The table settings had a single red rose displayed in a vase in reminder of the bloodshed for our country; and the vase was 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. The ceremony was performed by the Houston Corps of Cadets, under the direction of Army ROTC, University of Houston and was proceeded by Taps performed by Matt Wargo, Cy-Fair High School Senior.

For more information on the 2014 event please contact Marie Holmes at 281-807-3591 or marie@thecfef.org. Individual tickets available as well as sponsorships.

Salute to Our Heroes Flyer

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