County commissioners adopted a series of resolutions on Nov. 10 recognizing veterans and veteran-serving organizations and marking community efforts to expand services.

The court adopted a resolution honoring Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Debbo/Debo Wakefield as the county's veteran of the year, citing more than 21 years of military service and years of volunteer work supporting food banks, scholarship fundraisers and memorial activities. Wakefield, who accepted the recognition, urged residents to "take 30 minutes out of your day to be a blessing to someone else," and described volunteering as part of her healing process.

The court also read and approved a resolution recognizing Disabled American Veterans Northeast Chapter 187 for advancing resolution 199 calling on the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize locations in Puerto Rico where Agent Orange and other herbicides were used. David Garcia and Antoinette Hunt (county veteran service officer) detailed the chapter's research and the chain of approvals that led to national adoption by the DAV; they said congressional action remains necessary to change VA/DoD policy.

Commissioners proclaimed the El Paso Veterans and Writers Association’s ninth annual veterans food drive (scheduled Nov. 1–Dec. 17, 2025). Speakers representing local veterans organizations described ongoing emergency food distributions and asked precinct commissioners to help publicize donation locations. Organizers credited corporate partners including Group 1 Ford and Lowe’s for logistical support.

In related items the court recognized the 35th anniversary of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the 50th anniversary of the C.D. Jarvis boys basketball tournament at El Paso High School. Commissioners also celebrated the opening of Endeavors’ El Paso Health and Wellness Center (grand opening scheduled Nov. 13), with Ben Miranda and Heather King saying the facility will offer integrated behavioral and physical health services for veterans, first responders and their families.

All of the resolutions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the public record; the clerk announced "motion carries" after each item.

Votes at a glance: 5a — Veteran of the Year (Debbo/Debo Wakefield): adopted (motion carried). 5b — DAV Northeast Chapter 187 recognition and note on resolution 199: adopted (motion carried). 5c — EPVRA ninth annual veterans food drive proclamation: adopted (motion carried). 5d — El Paso Hispanic Chamber 35th anniversary: adopted (motion carried). 5e — Endeavors El Paso Health and Wellness Center grand opening: adopted (motion carried). 5f — C.D. Jarvis tournament 50th anniversary: adopted (motion carried). 5g — El Paso Respiratory Vaccination and Awareness Week proclamation: adopted (motion carried).

The court’s actions were largely ceremonial and celebratory in tone; officials used the floor to call attention to ongoing needs — including food insecurity and benefit access for veterans — and to highlight new local services. Commissioners encouraged residents to support the food drive and attend the Endeavors grand opening.