CY-FAIR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HONORS MILITARY HEROES

The Foundation will kick off it's fourth "Salute to Our Heroes" event on February 11, 2012 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. 

Last year's event was generously underwritten by CTG, Inc. as the Missing Man Underwriter. The Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital was the Major General Sponsor and Station & Ayers Insurance and Planning Services, L.L.C. was the Brigadier General Sponsor. 

This year our guest speaker and entertainer will be Keni Thomas, Army Ranger Involved in "Black Hawk Down" Mission. Keni Thomas, Bronze Star for Valor recipient, is an engaging speaker whose story captivates audiences from beginning to end. The highly successful movie "Blackhawk Down" is based on his Army Company's mission in Mogadishu, Somalia. In addition to speaking, Thomas is a recording artist with two critically acclaimed projects.

This event has two purposes. 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.  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 Edward Station.  Edward Station is a Trustee with the Foundation  and Veteran.

Following tradition, the event will have the Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony. The table will have empty table settings with chairs leaning up against the table as though saved for someone. The table settings have 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. Last year's ceremony was performed by the 75th Army Division Honor Guard and was proceeded by Taps performed by William Veenstra, Cy-Fair High School Senior. The ceremony was followed by Shannon Perry singing God Bless America.

For more information contact Marie Holmes at 281-807-3591 or marie@thecfef.org.

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