Ceremonies and Park Events
SHEEPDOG film and Q&A Session
SHEEPDOG Event
In conjunction with Combat Warriors Inc East Texas (CWI), FFP is presenting a special screening of the movie SHEEPDOG, a film that speaks directly to the realities many veterans know well. This event offers a relaxed space to connect with others who understand military and post-service life.
The Details:
Saturday, May 2
11:00am Picnic at Freedom Park. All are welcome.
1:30pm Arrive at Church at Lake Cherokee, Seating is not reserved, although, Veterans and their guests will have priority seating in the Chapel. Once Veterans have seating, the Chapel is open to all and, if needed, we will have overflow seating in the Hall.
2:00pm SHEEPDOG film begins.
4:30pm Q&A Session with Steven Grayhm (writer/director) and moderator Will Summers.
5:30pm Event ends.
7:00pm VIP dinner with Steven Grayhm at Cherokee Club.
To Reserve your seat(s):
To reserve your spot, contact Katheryn or Miguel for the registration link. No charge for Veterans and their significant other. Others may register and “pay what you can” to go towards CWI scholarships for Veteran’s counseling.
The SHEEPDOG Story:
The film's story follows a United States Army combat veteran Calvin Cole who is court ordered into treatment and into the care of a VA trauma therapist in-training, and things spiral out of control when Calvin's father-in-law and retired Vietnam Veteran steps in, having escaped from prison.
The Reviews:
Acclaimed as authentic by many Veterans and given thumbs up by Mike Rowe from The Way I Heard It, who says, "I'd bet my own life that this film will save alot of lives", this film realistically portrays the struggles of Veterans returning to civilian life.
Q&A Session
Steven Grayhm will sit down with Will Summers to discuss the making of the movie as well as themes of post-service life. Then, they will open up to questions from the audience.
Steven Grayhm not only stars in the film, but also wrote, produced, and directed it—an unusual level of authorship that reflects how personal the project is. Steven spent years listening to veterans’ stories, studying trauma and VA treatment models, and working closely with veterans and clinicians to get the details right.
Will Summers was a Special Forces Communication Sergeant, and an Infantry Officer during his 25 years of service. He was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group as a member of ODA 595, nicknamed The Horse Soldiers and recognized as the most successful Unconventional Warfare team in modern history. Their mission inspired the America’s Response Monument and the movie 12 STRONG. ***Some of you may remember Will as the guest speaker from our 2024 fundraising gala.
The Mission
Combat Warriors Inc East Texas (CWI) is generously funding this event. CWI Mission is to honor and support, emotionally and financially, the commitment and courage of our combat veterans. Passes for Veterans and their companions are free. For those non-veterans who want to attend, we ask that you “pay what you can” to go towards CWI’s mission.
Please pass this along to any Veteran!!!
Veterans Day 2025
Veterans Day Picnic & Ceremony
Come join your fellow Veterans, their families and friends as we celebrate Veterans Day with a picnic and ceremony.
DETAILS
When: Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025.
4:00pm Hotdogs & potluck
5:00pm Ceremony starts
Where: Lake Cherokee Freedom Park. Directions by car: From Longview, drive south on 322, pass the East Texas Regional Airport. Take first left onto County Rd 2011 and drive until it ends. Take left at the “T” onto County Rd 1716. Take a quick first left onto County Rd 2125A. Take a left onto County Rd. 2125. Follow it until it ends at an entrance to Lake Cherokee. Take a left onto Cherokee Trail. Follow Cherokee Trail around, staying to the right, until it turns into Persimmon Point and dead ends into a parking area and the Fuel Station. We will have volunteer parking attendants directing you where to park. By boat? We will post here if the gate between Firecracker Island and Freedom Park is open.
Cost: Nothing! If you can, bring a picnic dish.
Seating: We will have 20-30 chairs available. Please email Katheryn if you wish to reserve one. Or, you can bring your own lawn chairs.
Potluck: We are providing hotdogs, condiments, plates, forks/spoons, napkins, and water. We are relying on you all to bring picnic dishes (side dishes/snacks/desserts). And, of course, your beverages of choice.
RSVP: We’d like to know roughly how many folks are coming so that we set up accordingly. Please Click here and let us know.
Will the names be on the Wall of Honor? We certainly hope so. See below for pictures of activity at this is going on right now (Thursday, Nov 6)
Veterans Appreciation "A Salute to Heroes" at Maude Cobb Center
“A Salute to Heroes” A Veterans Appreciation Event sponsored by Republican Women of Gregg County
Keynote Speaker: “Horse Soldier” SFC Will Summers, US Army
Retired Special Forces Communication Sergeant, Infantry Officer with 25 years of service, 5th Special Forces Group and member of ODA 595 “Horse Soldiers”, the elite team that delivered an effective first response after the 9/11 attacks, memorialized in the movie “12 Strong”
Will Summers spoke at our Lake Cherokee Community Foundation Gala last November and if you didn’t get a chance to see him, you MUST go! He has an amazing story to tell.
This appreciation lunch is held at Maude Cobb.
The event includes a BBQ lunch, military vehicle show, and vendors for veterans resources.
FLYER - Reservations required. If you are a veteran, there is no charge. Non-veterans/Guests $50
Adopt a Veteran - Pay $25 for a Veteran to attend
Vendor Registration - If you provide resources to veterans, use this form to register for a table/booth
Military Vehicle Registration - If you have a military vehicle, use this form
Partnership Levels - If your organization would like to sponsor the event, use this form
This event is not sponsored by Lake Cherokee Freedom Park, but we certainly endorse it!
Image: Will Summers at our very own Freedom Park being interviewed by Longview News Journal
Memorial Day
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 26, 2025
2:00pm – 3:30pm
At
Lake Cherokee Veterans Memorial Park
(Persimmon Point/Fuel Station)
When the weekend festivity fades,
And friends and family have gone their ways,
The boat rests gently in its quiet slip,
While trash spills forth from the dumpsters' tip.
The waters, once lively, now calm and still,
Reflect the peace that follows the thrill,
Memorial Weekend, a time to reflect,
On sacrifices made, let our hearts connect.
Agenda
2:00pm Refreshments
2:30pm Program starts
Reading of “Flanders Field”
3:00pm National Moment of Silence
Taps
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
3:30pm Program ends
Chairs will be provided, but feel free to bring your own seating and blankets. We have a lawn now, so it should be comfortable!
Lake Cherokee Community Foundation Gala
To benefit our Veterans Memorial, the Lake Cherokee Community Foundation will hold a gala at the Cherokee Club.
Go to www.LakeCherokeeCommunityFoundation.org for more information
