Show support of America’s veterans by volunteering to assist the Friends of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (FCTSVC) to help retrieve the wreaths from the gravesites. Due to inclement weather and to make sure the wreaths go into storage without any moisture the event has been changed from the previously scheduled day.
The wreaths will be retrieved from the gravesites to be put in storage this year on Saturday, January 21 at 10 a.m.
Wreath retrieval is usually on the second Saturday in January. The organization does not want to risk storing the wreaths wet and has postponed the event to the third Saturday this year.
FCTSVC encourages anyone in the community to help. Volunteering to help retrieve the wreaths is a job that can be done by all, young and old.
The wreaths were laid during the annual holiday wreath project. Each year family members and community volunteers gather to prepare and then lay a wreath on each gravesite at the cemetery to remain on display during the holiday season.
“In laying a wreath in our cemetery, we lay a wreath for all veterans throughout the world,” said Jean Shine, president of FCTSVC.
Parking is provided for the wreath retrieval at the Texas A&M Central Texas University campus. Buses run from 8:45 a.m. through noon to ensure everyone can safely and easily park and participate in the ceremony.
Jean Shine wants to make sure everyone knows that volunteers and donations are needed for this project. “Please help us ensure that every military member in the cemetery is remembered this holiday season,” Shine said. Wreath purchases are made from 100% donations, and every year the number of gravesites grows which means more wreaths and bows must be purchased.
Additionally, the organization must provide transportation and storage of the wreaths – all paid for from donations. Monetary donations can be made year-round at www.WreathsForVets.org, or make a check payable to Wreaths for Vets and mail to 100 West Central Texas Expressway, Suite 302, Harker Heights, TX 76548.
This is an annual ceremony and the need for volunteers grows year after year. The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery opened in 2006 and currently is the resting place for approximately 7,200 veterans and family members. The cemetery serves a 100-mile radius which includes veterans in 44 counties.
The Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery is a non-profit organization that raises funds and donations to support the purchase, laying and storage of holiday wreaths for the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
For more information please contact: Jean Shine, President Friends of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (254) 690-4321. For more information on how you can volunteer and support the annual Wreaths for Vets project, visit www.wreathsforvets.org
Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 100 W. CTE, Ste. 302, Harker Heights, Texas 76548, (254) 690-4321 or contact, Jean Shine at 254-289-7590.
