Wreaths still needed for veterans’ memorial

Cover image by Jeralyn Hathorn

By Uvalde Leader-News Staff, November 29, 2020

As part of Wreaths Across America, the non-profit organization dedicated to the memory of fallen heroes, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony on December 19 at cemeteries in Utopia and Vanderpool.

Coordinator Jeralyn Hathorn said wreaths will be laid at the Jones and Waresville cemeteries in Utopia, and at Vanderpool Cemetery.

This is the first year the program has included the Utopia cemeteries.

Volunteers and wreath sponsors are needed for this year’s event, which will begin at the Utopia town square at 11 a.m., Hathorn said, adding that there will be refreshments such as hot chocolate and cookies available from the Utopia and Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department.

The Wreaths Across America program aims to honor the sacrifice of the nation’s soldiers by laying a wreath at every hero’s grave.

Last year’s ceremony in Vanderpool included approximately 100 wreaths placed on graves of veterans laid to rest at Vanderpool Cemetery.

All of the wreaths were sponsored by the Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department.

For this year, she said they are asking the community to sponsor wreaths for the event. The cost to sponsor a wreath is $15. As of Nov. 18, only 46 wreaths had been sponsored and 283 more needed sponsors.

“It is our goal to lay a wreath on the gravesite for every veteran in each of the local cemeteries,” Hathorn said.

She said individuals who wish to sponsor a wreath do not necessarily have to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony. Each cemetery has a local coordinator who will aid in getting the wreath to a gravesite.

To sponsor a wreath for Jones Cemetery, visit at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX0953. For Vanderpool Cemetery visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TXVDRP, and for Waresville Cemetery, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX0955. Nationally, there are over 1,600 locations which participate in the annual event. Among participating locations in Texas are the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery, the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio and the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

For more information about the local event, or for help with sponsoring a wreath, contact Hathorn at 830- 966-5167.

See the original article: https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/wreaths-still-needed-for-veterans-memorial/