The Six White Horses and riders posting the colors, Jeff Meadow’s cannon reverberating through the air, Daughters of the Republic of Texas orchestrating the placement of 700 wreaths on 700 graves of Brown County veterans…these are some of the sights and sounds to expect next Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m., at Greenleaf Cemetery.
The public is invited, indeed encouraged, to attend the inspiring Wreaths Across America ceremony honoring hometown heroes, said Dr. Julie Welker, Welcome W. Chandler DRT president.
Following the short ceremony honoring the heroes, attendees will be asked to place wreaths on veteran graves.
“We are overjoyed that this year we have 700 wreaths to honor 700 veterans,” said Mary Lee Shelton, WWCDRT wreath liaison.
“Thank you to all the Brownwood businesses and families who so generously sponsored wreaths,” she added.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring lawn chairs to the ceremony. While some seating will be provided, to ensure a place to sit, bring your own chair.
Brownwood Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will help lay wreaths. Boy Scouts will present wreaths for each branch of service.
Starbucks will serve complimentary coffee, hot cocoa and baked goodies at the event.
“Seven hundred wreaths is our all-time high number of wreaths for the Greenleaf Cemetery event.” Shelton added, “So we need the pubic to help place wreaths on veteran headstones. Please join us for this heart-stirring experience.”
From the Texas Revolution to present day conflicts, Brown County veterans buried at Greenleaf were devoted sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. They placed those lives on the line for our freedoms. There are thousands of individual stories buried at Greenleaf. Brownwood’s DRT wants to bring home the WAA mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The Brownwood DRT joins Wreaths Across America’s commitment to teaching all generations about the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.