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KILGORE, Texas (KETK) — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) received the rural award for building veteran friendly communities with the purpose of serving those who served us.

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) hosted a ceremony at their 59th Annual Conference & Exhibition where programs were recognized for their excellence in service to communities.

ETCOG earned the rural award for the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program that began in July 2024.

The program acknowledges communities that support military veterans through community involvement, services and policies. Cities and counties that participate in the program must provide a community profile and create plans that with the benefit of veterans in mind.

The City of Tyler, Smith County and the City of Quitman, Wood County were the first areas to participate in the program and have set the standard for improving employment, education. healthcare and housing for veterans.

“We’re proud to be recognized by NARC for a program that recognizes the men and women that lay their lives on the line to keep us free. In East Texas, we’ve always believed in taking care of our veterans, not just with words, but with our actions. This award means a great deal to us, and it demonstrates that when communities come together with a clear purpose, we can build something that truly makes a difference. We hope this program  becomes a blueprint for how regions can support and encourage those who served all of us.”

 Executive Director of ETCOG David Cleveland

The Alamo Area Council of Governments, the University if Texas at Tyler and the University of Texas at San Antonio all partnered with ETCOG in the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program.