By Beth and Jeff Harrison
Freestone and Limestone County Masons have answered the call and stepped up to support “Veteran Remembrance Wreath” sponsorships, honoring our fallen veterans in partnership with Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the Jonathan Hardin Chapter (JHC) of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, INC (NSDAR) (all non-profit organizations).
JHC member Mary Ellen Marcotte was sharing information about WAA from a booth at the recent Fairfield Fuzzy Peach Festival and was giving details with festival attendees about the registered cemeteries in Freestone and Limestone Counties. Her husband, Mr. Ed Marcotte, Marshal of the Springfield Masonic Lodge, was supporting his wife at the event and saw an opportunity to raise funds for the wreath sponsorships by making similar presentations to his brother Masonic Lodges. This outreach resulted in tremendous support, for which JHC/WAA is humbly thankful.
The District 22 Masonic Lodges, along with individual members made generous donations. Over $1,400 was presented to Patti Gauntt, Regent- JHC, and Beth Harrison, WAA Group Sponsorship Leader. Eighty-four (84) wreaths will be sponsored and laid on Veteran graves at the annual ceremony.
This year’s ceremonies will be held on December 14, 2024, National Wreaths Across America Day, at LaSalle Cemetery (Groesbeck), New Hope Cemetery (Jewett), Salem and Driver Cemeteries (Teague) and Wortham/Blind Lemon Memorial Cemeteries (Wortham). There are approximately 582 veterans buried at these five sites who will be recognized and honored on that day.
We thank each of the Masonic Lodges for their generosity and participation in remembering our fallen heroes. Each of our fallen heroes offered the last full measure of devotion for our nation, and for our freedom. With the Masonic Lodges’ tremendous support, each of these Veterans will be remembered with a wreath. They will not be forgotten.
“All Gave Some
Some Gave All.
Dedicated to the Men and Women,
Who Proudly Served Their Nation.”
(unknown Author)
For more information about WAA, visit their webpage at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1128P.
