1000+ flags are in place at Greenleaf Cemetery to honor Veterans from nine wars over the years.
Friends and Relatives of Greenleaf (FROG) coordinated the efforts with the help of volunteers who just want to honor the veterans and learn the history of the area. They placed the 12×18 inch flags on grave sites of soldiers from the Indian War, War Between the States, World Wars I & II, Korean War, Pacific War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Iraq War.
Although over 1000 flags are placed, not all veterans’ stones can be marked. “It’s our most humane effort to get all Veterans’ graves marked, “ stated Vonne Cornett a member of FROG and one of the coordinators for placing the flags this year. Cornett explained that the efforts had started with about 500 flags. Monies from contributions to FROG helped increase the number to over 1000. Two of these contributors were Pee Wee Croft and Ed Walker, who donated 250 flags each. Vonne Cornett stated that Croft told her, “I didn’t get to serve like I wanted to, so this is the least I could do.”
Terry and Pam Teague of Brownwood, volunteers, were out Friday morning placing flags and taking pictures of stones. These pictures will be used as records on websites such as www.FindaGrave.com and www.Ancestry.com to help people find their relatives. Terry and Pam enjoy the history of cemeteries and the tranquility that is found in them. The Teagues help people find their relatives all over Brown County, even in rural cemeteries and sometimes even through searching death certificates recorded at the Brown County courthouse to help visitors find their loved ones graves.
The FROGs are currently working on two important projects. The first one is erecting raised and fallen stones. This process usually costs about $150-200 and the cemetery workers usually try to do this when they can in the winter months; however, recently Walter Steublin has been volunteering and doing this work at no charge. Another project is the annual reception for Robert E. Howard (author of Conan the Barbarian, One Who Walks Alone and more). This reception will be the first week in June with a tribute near his grave site.
In the past, FROG has had a newsletter campaign that raised approximately $40,000 which was used to buy commercial grade mowers and trimmers to help maintain the 90 acre cemetery. There are still many needs at the cemetery and donations are welcome. These can be sent to Friends and Relatives of Greenleaf, P.O. Box 1055, Brownwood, TX 76804.
The Friends and Relatives of Greenleaf invite the public to come and view the flags and to honor the many veterans laid to rest at Greenleaf during the Memorial Day weekend and to reflect on the sacrifices given by each.
