CY-FAIR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HONORS MILITARY HEROES The Foundation will kick off it's fifth "Salute to Our Heroes" event on February 9, 2013 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 event will be generously underwritten by Earthcare Management and Kodiak Gas Services, as the Missing Man Underwriters.  The Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital will be the Major General Sponsor. This year our guest speaker is 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.  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 Klein Funeral Homes & Memorials. 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.  For more information on the 2013 event please contact Marie Holmes at 281-807-3591 ormarie@thecfef.org. Individual tickets available as well as sponorships.  http://www.thecfef.org/salute-to-heroes.cfm Donation