MUCH APPRECIATED: Approximately 75 active duty servicemen and servicewomen from across eastern North Carolina arrived by bus, van and car to the Cypress Landing golf course on Saturday morning, where they were treated to food, beverages, a round of golf and more by the Cypress Landing community, many of whom are retired military personnel and their spouses. According to Dale Fincke, one of the organizers of the annual event, Cypress Landing hold the golf tournament for three reasons: to show their appreciation for their active duty military neighbors; to raise funds for Fisher House in Camp Lejeune, a residence for families caring for wounded servicemen and servicewomen, to which all proceeds raised over expenses for the tournament are donated; and to basically show off the game, the golf course and the Cypress Landing community.

Pictured from top to bottom:  U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matt Auman takes a practice swing at Military Appreciation Day; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ray Gregory from Cherry Point takes a few practice swings before the Cypress Landing Military Appreciation Day golf tournament got underway Saturday morning; Jim McPherson, a Cypress Landing resident, led the crowd in a rousing rendition of the National Anthem before play began; U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. E7 Joe Moore, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, practices drives prior to tournament start; Attorney Keith Fox greets players at the 13^th hole with Sabrett’s hot dogs and sausages, topped with sauerkraut, which each year, he has shipped in from Brooklyn, N.Y.; off to tee, these two servicemen take off for their assigned hole in the shotgun-style tournament; ready for take off, the Cypress Landing golf carts are loaded with clubs and players.