Garland, TX – This holiday season, communities across the country came together to honor and remember the lives of veterans through Wreaths Across America ceremonies, showcasing the profound respect and gratitude held for those who served.
In Garland, the inaugural Wreaths Across America ceremony took place at Garland Memorial Gardens, attracting over 100 compassionate volunteers. Participants included members of the Young Men’s League, Sons of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, and local families, all of whom helped honor veterans by placing wreaths on their graves with intention and heartfelt appreciation.
Photos courtesy of Maribeth Hughes, Regent, Colonel George Mason Chapter of Garland, TX
The Colonel George Mason Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution partnered with Williams Funeral Home to facilitate the successful event. A total of 129 wreaths were placed, with each representing a unique life, story, and legacy. The chapter emphasized its commitment to expanding this initiative in the coming years, inviting community support through donations and volunteer opportunities. Wreaths Across America is a registered 501(c)(3), making contributions potentially tax-deductible, and the ongoing Wreath Match program ensures that every new wreath sponsored will be matched and placed next year.
Meanwhile, in Rockwall, the Commerce-Greenville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. commemorated its fourth year of laying wreaths at the Historic Glen Hill Cemetery. This cemetery is the last remnant of the once-thriving African-American section of Rockwall known as The Settlement or The Bottoms. On December 13, a gathering of community members, including descendants of those buried at the site, participated in the emotional ceremony.
Wreaths were laid for five veterans interred at Glen Hill, with their names and service histories shared aloud. The honored veterans included Pvt John A. Johnson and several members of the Moton family, each having served during World War I. The ceremony welcomed dignitaries such as Rockwall City Council member Sedric Thomas and members of American Legion Post 117, as well as local residents who came together to pay their respects.
As communities continue to foster these traditions, the spirit of gratitude will thrive, reinforcing the promise to never forget.
