A veterans' war memorial honoring military personnel from Henderson County who served in wars dating back to the Civil War will be constructed in Athens, according to a representative of the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society. Teresa Glasgow, director of the organization, said the project will include the names of up to about 8,000 veterans engraved on a wall, and it will cost $1 million to construct. It is being sponsored by the Cain Foundation,but help from other quarters of the community will be needed, she said. "We are going to be looking for support from other clubs in the community," said Glasgow, who noted she looks forward to seeing the name of her own father on the wall. The announcement was made during the monthly meeting of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 13 at the Cedar Creek Lake Country Club. Glasgow noted that it was the first public announcement to made about the project. A list of names is currently being compiled, Glasgow said. Upon completion, the list will be published on a website for the public to review and suggest additions of overlooked names, she said. Glasgow said that she also wants to see a bronze statue of a woman constructed near the memorial to honor all of the women who have lost husbands and children and helped support war efforts in their own ways. She noted that during the Civil War wives often traveled with their husbands to cook and perform other duties to assist the war effort. The East Texas Arboretum comprises more than 100 acres of native Texas land that includes formal gardens, historic buildings and a wooded nature area with more than two miles of trails. The facility will sponsor its annual Fall Festival and Black-eyed Pea Cook Off on Saturday, Oct 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will include an art show where the artists will be able to sell their work without paying a vendor show fee. There will be a $300 grand prize for the best black-eyed pea dish entered in the contest. The festival will include activities for kids like face painting and pumpkin decorating, a "Scarecrow Trail", dog show and other entertainment. Admission to the event is free. "It's just a way to support the Arboretum," said Glasgow, who started out as a volunteer 10 years ago before becoming the director. "It's a family affair with a hometown atmosphere." The Arboretum is open all year. Visit www.eastexasarboretum.org for information. Pictured below is Glasgow with Chamber of Commerce President Jo Ann Hanstrom