While it may be 100 degrees outside, it looks like Christmas inside the Brownwood Community Library.

The Brownwood chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is celebrating Yuletide a little early this year with a Christmas Wreaths in July poster exhibition in the library that tells the stories of veteran heroes from Brown County.  Dr. Julie Welker, President of the Welcome W. Chandler chapter of the DRT commented:  “We are so pleased to be able to partner with both the Brownwood Community Library and Greenleaf Cemetery to encourage the sale of wreaths for our veterans’ graves.  We have already exceeded last year’s numbers, but we would love to meet our goal of 2,000 wreaths this year.  It takes our entire community helping.  I hope local residents can stop by the library in July to view the posters and learn a little more about our rich veteran history in Brown County.”

The local Daughters of the Republic of Texas chapter participates in a nationwide program known as Wreaths Across America in which Christmas wreaths are placed on the graves of American military veterans, in their honor.  This year’s Wreaths Across America day will be December 16, in Greenleaf Cemetery.  The wreaths cost $17 each, and Dr. Welker said that part of the money is shared with Greenleaf Cemetery.  To honor local veterans, wreaths can be purchased two ways:  (1) by check; make the check to WWCDRT and mail to Nancy Lowry, DRT Treasurer, P.O. Box 272, Bangs TX 76823 (2) online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1050P.  Deadline for ordering is December 2, 2024.

The posters tell the wartime stories of local veterans including Joe Harper, David Harper, Lonnie Holland, Homer Allen, Aubrey Ray Goodwin, Joe W. Blagg, Noah T. Byars, George Edward Smith, Willard Alton Perry Jr., Roland Graves, and Harriette Graves.

The posters will be on exhibit in the Brownwood Community Library through the end of July.