Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Texas State Rep. Keith Bell (from left) stands with Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation (CCVF) 2025 Honorees Master Sgt. Wade Brisse, Chief Master Sgt. Kelli Brisse, Chief Warrant Officer Ben Dempsey (who served in three branches), Army Bronze Star medalist Jerry Tate, Colonel Kathleen Mackey and Corporal Don Garrett, along with Henderson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley, following the CCVF Golf Tournament Oct. 20.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
VFW Auxiliary Post 4376 Secretary Sharon Mills (back row, from left) and VFW Auxiliary Junior Vice President Barbara Prisock serve cookies to Marine veteran James Sullins at the Christmas in October for Veterans Oct. 28.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE‑This is a special time of the year for folks around Cedar Creek Lake as organizations take the time out to honor the ones who have given us the opportunities to celebrate our freedoms, our military veterans.
The Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation (CCVF), a non-profit organization, held an Oct. 20 golf tournament and luncheon to honor those who have served in various branches of the military.  This years’ recipients received a U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and a certificate signed by U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden. CCVF hosts other fundraisers such as Thunder Over East Texas held at the Athens Municipal Airport, Athens, Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake held over the Pinnacle Club and The Warbird Expo, held at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, all air shows take place each year during the fourth of July weekend.
Funds from the benefits go to Camp V in Tyler, Fisher House and Marine Relief Corps/Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. These organizations help with the physical and emotional recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and disabled military personnel.
Another group that works with area veterans is the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary in Seven Points. According to the VFW Auxiliary website; “Established in 1914, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary set out to serve the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who served in a location of foreign conflict.”
The VFW Auxiliary in Seven Points went to Lakeside Health and Wellness, a Kemp nursing home, Oct. 28 for Christmas in October for Veterans. They held a short program with Christmas carols, gifts to the nine veteran residents and refreshments.
Throughout the week of Nov. 8 - 14, there will be other ceremonies honoring our veterans. Remember Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day, which was changed to the current name in 1954) is the 11th day of the 11th month when all veterans current and past are celebrated and thanked for a job well done.