Lake Cherokee Freedom Park
Located on Persimmon Point, at the center of Lake Cherokee, Freedom Park is an area where Lake residents and guests can come for quiet reflection and remembrance.
The Park is meant to be a solemn reminder that the recreation we enjoy has come from the sacrifices of others.
Updated 1/22/2026
Sheepdog the Movie
Special Longview Showing
FFP has 25 passes for Veterans to see a special showing of Sheepdog the movie.
The Details:
AMC Longview - 201 Tall Pines
Tuesday, Jan 27
Movie starts at 6:30 - please arrive at 6pm for meet and greet with film writer/director/producers/actors
To Reserve your seat(s):
Click here to email Katheryn Johnston to get on the list - or text (903) 235-5890. Tickets are first come first served.
The 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.
Meet & Greet:
Come early and meet Steven Grayham (writer/director/producer and main actor) and Matt Dallas (producer and actor).
Importantly:
Combat Warriors Inc East Texas (CWI) has generously purchased 100 tickets and given us 25. Of course we want as many Veterans as possible to see this movie, but we also want to fill the theatre. If you are a non-Veteran and wish to attend (like me!), contact me and I'll put you on a waitlist. We are asking non-Veterans to donate back to CWI for their generosity.
Please pass this along to any Veteran!!!
Updated 1/12/2026
Discounts for Veterans and Active Duty Members
Local restaurants and businesses offer discounts for Veterans and active duty military members.
We are constantly adding new area businesses, so go to our Veterans Resources page to learn more.
If you are a local/area business and would like to add your information, contact us!
Updated 1/4/2026
Sheepdog, the Movie
Highly acclaimed movie with overwhelming support from the veteran community.
We are working on getting this movie shown in Longview/Kilgore
Updated 12/31/2025
Year-End Report for Donors and Supporters
The below information was emailed to those on our contact list. If you want to be included on future emails….
Friends of Freedom Park
2025 Year-End Report
For Donors and Supporters
Our Story
It all began about 10 years ago with an idea to create display of flags honoring our Military Veterans.
The Flag Display
2022 - 2023
The Flag Display was the original idea for the Memorial. Shareholders wanted a monument recognizing the six Military branches that could be seen from the lake.
CWC allowed us to use the land next to the fuel station on Persimmon Point. We used the original US flag that always stood at that location and then flanked it with the Texas and Lake Cherokee flags. In front of these 3 flagpoles, we constructed slanted flagpoles that display the six flags of the Military branches. The POW flag was added below the US flag according to protocol.
We needed some large donations to help pay for this display, so we created Flagpole sponsors who would underwrite some of the costs of the flagpoles. Those sponsors and the names of their honorees can now be seen on the backside of each flagpole base.
The Virtual Wall of Honor
2023 - 2024
Donors for the Flag Display wanted to make donations in honor or in memory of veterans, so we created a “virtual” Wall of Honor located on our website. Click here to see. We collected photos and stories from loved ones. This project is ongoing and you can still add your veterans. But, the idea of displaying names at the site was gaining momentum.
So, we had an idea for a REAL Wall of Honor to add to the site…
The Wall of Honor
2024
The idea to add a granite Wall of Honor that included names of Veterans who were important to shareholders came in late 2024. This was never part of the original Veterans Memorial idea, so we couldn’t use the funds already received. To pay for the Wall of Honor, we sought shareholders who wanted to add their Veterans for an additional cost. We advertised relentlessly in the Chatter, posted on Facebook, and promoted the Wall of Honor at the November 2024 Gala. We sold out of the 126 names in February 2025.
Freedom Park
2025
By the summer of 2025, we had already had our first Veterans Ceremony, planned (but cancelled due to weather) our first Memorial Day Ceremony, and had a service for a Veteran who passed away Some of our group had ideas for activities for Veterans and other ways to use the site. So, CWC generously allowed us to add pavers and a sidewalk, lay sod for a beautiful lawn, and even dismantle a very unsightly, obsolete tower. We built a fence to not only prevent access to the fuel station but also to beautify the site. Expert Irrigation donated an upgraded sprinkler system for the lawn and any future greenery. The site was becoming more than just the original Flag Display, so we renamed it Freedom Park - a quiet space for shareholders to stop and reflect on the Freedoms that have been given to us by our Veterans.
But, more is needed.…shareholders have more Veterans they want to honor and memorialize.
Park Benches and Another Wall?
2026 and beyond
After filling the Wall of Honor, we began a waitlist for a future monument to honor Veterans. About 30 Veteran names are on that waitlist.
We currently have plans to install granite memorial benches. Each bench will hold 8 Veterans names on the back. We have one that was purchased for an entire family and we have room for 3 more benches.
We need another monument to add names, though. As new shareholders arrive, they have Veterans who they wish to honor.
This is our focus for 2026. We need a way to efficiently (and frugally) add names continuously in the years ahead.
Friends of Freedom Park
A Member-Driven Organization
Throughout the last 3 years, a small group of passionate shareholders emerged who wish to maintain the integrity of Freedom Park and to honor the intents of donors. Friends of Freedom Park (FFP) was established at the end of 2025.
FFP Mission:
To manage the upkeep and improvements of Freedom Park and to coordinate activities that honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. Military Veterans.
All shareholders and their families who support the mission of FFP are eligible to join. Annual dues of $20 will support ongoing activities at Freedom Park. ***2026 dues will be waived for all previous donors to Freedom Park and the Memorial.
FFP Board of Directors
Barrett Newsom (President)
Miguel Fabbiani (Vice President)
Hunter White (Treasurer)
Katheryn Johnston (Secretary)
Roger Morris
Ken Pope
Karen Torres
Thomas White
Next FFP Meeting: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 @ 2:30pm
RSVP here All are welcome to attend. We will email you the location and agenda and any supporting documents to be used at the meeting.
Our website
www.LakeCherokeeFreedomPark.org
For more information about Freedom Park, go to our website. If you are a Veteran, check out our website for discounts from local restaurants and retailers as well as other local veterans resources.
Have a safe and happy New Year!
Need help?
Contact us
Updated 12/16/2026
Next meeting of Friends of Freedom Park
Join the Friends of Freedom Park at their first meeting of 2026
Sunday, Feb 1 @ 2:00pm
Please sign-up so we can send you the location (which is still tba) and any materials in advance (agenda, drawings, etc…).
Lake Cherokee veterans monument dedicated at Freedom Park
News video and article from KLTV (Nov 14, 2025)
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - A gathering at Persimmon Point on Lake Cherokee honored veterans and dedicated a monument for posterity.
“We called it Freedom Park because it made sense to us, and this is our way of honoring all our veterans,” said Miguel Fabbiani, a U.S. Army veteran who spearheaded the effort.
The Lake Cherokee Community Foundation helped raise money and talk to donors about the concept, according to organizers.
Freedom Park is dedicated to the spirit of service to country and to all who put their lives on hold to wear a uniform of service.
“When you sign that dotted line you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, you don’t know what conflicts may arise when you join. You’re willing to do whatever’s required or asked of you,” said Barrett Newsom, a U.S. Army veteran who helped lead the project.
Two Army veterans, Fabbiani and Newsom, spearheaded the effort. Every branch is represented, and a wall honors those from the area who have served.
“We have different generations listed on the names here,” Newsom said.
Newsom has several family members listed among the names on the wall.
“We don’t consider it a memorial, we consider it a monument. So it’s an ongoing thing that people can come out and honor anyone who served,” Fabbianni said.
With a unique design and lighting, it will become a landmark illuminating the lake.
“Great grandchildren can come back and see, look my great grandfather’s name is on the wall,” Newsom said.
Plaques will be added to honor veterans in the future. Learn more here.
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