'It Means Everything to Us to Be Able to Share This Beauty'

Sharing a shoreline with Oklahoma to the north and Texas to the south, the aptly named Lake Texoma is home to members of VFW Post 7873, who gladly share their serene outdoor space with other veterans and the public.

Offering five RV spaces with full hookups (including water, sewer and electricity access) and access to Lake Texoma via a boat ramp, the Post hosts hundreds of campers each summer.

The Preston, Texas, Post is near scenic Sunset Point - a picturesque location right along the lake's edge, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

"It means everything to us to be able to share this beauty with others," said Post Quartermaster Cressenda Sittner. "We also take the time to inform tourists about VFW and our mission."

Each October, the Post hosts "Operation Welcome Home," or "Take a Soldier Fishing Weekend." Founded by Post member Jerry Dorsey, veterans are invited to the Post for a weekend
where they are taken out on Lake Texoma for fishing, provided meals and given the chance to relax and connect with each other.

"J.D. coordinates with Georgetown Baptist Church and other service organizations, including the American Legion, to help feed guests during their stay," Sittner said.

For this year's VFW Day of Service, the Post planned to gather 20-30 volunteers to clean up Preston Bend Cemetery and erect a new pavilion there.

POLAR-PLUNGING FOR VETERANS
For almost a decade, Post 7873 has hosted an annual "polar plunge" fundraiser at Lake Texoma. According to a report from local news station KX12, Post Auxiliary President Janis Vogelsang got the idea to begin hosting annual polar plunges from a close friend from the Northeast.

"We had a friend here from Rochester, New York, and she participated in a polar plunge in New York," Vogelsang said. "She suggested it to us, and everyone thought it was a good idea."

As host and organizer of the polar plunge, Vogelsang creates the pledge forms each January. On Feb. 21, 20 plungers donned their swimming suits in preparation to jump into the frigid Lake Texoma waters.

According to Sittner, each year, four plungers in particular tally up the most donations: E.J. McManaman, Jeff Demerchant, Brad Sisemore and Carrie Sisemore.

"After the plunge, we count up the donations and announce the top three donors," Sittner said. "Winners get bragging rights. The proceeds go to support our Post and our continued mission of supporting our veterans."

Participants from the local community join in to help support the continued presence of VFW on Lake Texoma. Last year, the Post raised more than $7,000.

This article is featured in the 2026 September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Danny Cook, senior writer for VFW magazine.