The Welcome W. Chandler Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is asking people to sponsor a Wreaths Across America wreath for $17 to honor a veteran buried at Greenleaf Cemetery. The chapter aims to honor all 2,000 veterans interred there. The balsam wreaths are grown, picked and made in Maine, then shipped to the cemetery. Wreath liaison Mary Lee Shelton said the group is close to its goal of 2,000 sponsorships.
Greenleaf is one of 2,700 Wreaths Across America locations nationwide. Its ceremony is set for Saturday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. The public is invited to help lay wreaths, watch an equestrian team post the colors, and hear musical performances and a cannon salute. Chapter president Julie Welker thanked volunteers and the American Legion. Welker also invited current Brown County veterans to attend.
Shelton said some veterans' graves are not marked as veterans. Volunteers look for headstones or footstones that show a veteran is buried there, and unmarked graves will not receive a wreath. To report an unmarked veteran, text or call Shelton at 575-644-5121. Wreaths can be purchased at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/TX1050P.