The Brownwood chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) joins a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to veterans this December by working to place Christmas wreaths on Brown County veterans’ graves at Greenleaf Cemetery.
The effort is part of Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that honors American heroes at more than 2,500 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
“I am so pleased that our local DRT chapter can participate in this international program recognizing our service men and women,” said Dr. Julie Welker, president of the Welcome W. Chandler Chapter in Brownwood.
To accomplish their goal of honoring all 1,600 Brown County veterans with this act of appreciation, the DRT women need the community’s help.
“We are selling wreath sponsorships to place on the headstones of veterans buried at Greenleaf,” said Nancy Lowry, DRT location coordinator of the project. “Wreaths are $15 each, and $5 of each purchase will go to support cemetery maintenance at Greenleaf, as well as educational and patriotic programs of Brownwood’s DRT.
“Our mission in DRT is to promote and preserve history, educate children, and honor our ancestors. I can’t think of a better way to do this than to honor the memory of our veterans who have served to help secure the freedoms we now enjoy,” said Welker.
Welker said the WAA mission of “Remember, Honor, Teach,” fits perfectly with DRT’s mission.
How will DRT carry out this mission with WAA? On Saturday, Dec. 18, the DRT is planning a public ceremony to honor the veterans by telling their stories and coordinating a community effort to lay a wreath on each of their graves. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the free ceremony honoring Brown County heroes.
“We can’t do this without community support, though,” said Mary Lee Shelton, co-location coordinator for DRT. “We invite businesses, service organizations, scout troops, churches and individuals to join us in our goal of honoring every veteran at Greenleaf,” she added. To volunteer, email Shelton at [email protected].
Purchases ensure that a wreath, hand-crafted of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow, be sent to Greenleaf Cemetery, or a participating cemetery of your choice. Purchasers wanting to honor veterans buried at other area cemeteries may pick up the wreaths at the ceremony Dec. 18 and take the wreath to the desired location.
Following the Dec. 18 public ceremony at Greenleaf, volunteers will place wreaths on veterans’ graves. Families and friends who have purchased wreaths for a particular veteran may personally place the wreath on their loved one’s grave marker. If they can’t attend the ceremony, volunteers will place the wreath.
Anyone can, and is encouraged to, participate in placing wreaths at the heroes’ graves.
Volunteer will be instructed to say the veterans’ name, and thank the veteran for their service to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice of that veteran is never forgotten.
The idea behind Wreaths Across America is that as long as a veteran’s name is spoken, they will never be forgotten.
“There is nothing more moving than placing a wreath at the headstone of a veteran, saying their name, and thanking them for their service,” Shelton said. “You’ll never forget the experience.”
“We want to honor our veterans, Texans and all, to remember their service,” said Welker of DRT’s efforts.
Welker, a 7th generation Texan, descends from multiple Republic of Texas ancestors who lived through early Texas Indian raids. Her ancestors served in Republic of Texas government and politics, including the state legislature and Terry’s Texas Rangers.
Lowry is also a 7th generation Texan. Her ancestor James Francis Walker, Sr., was one of the Old 300 who came to Texas with Stephen F. Austin.
Samuel is an 8th generation Texan. His Republic of Texas ancestor, William H. Miller, secured a homestead in Indian Creek, Brown County, in 1838 and served in the Vasquez Campaign to defend San Antonio and the Republic against General Vasquez of Mexico. Miller was one of the 13 Original Austinites and is believed to be one of the original Texas Rangers. Samuel is the son of McKenna Wolf.
If you have Texas ancestors you would like to learn more about, consider joining the local DRT, the Welcome W. Chandler chapter. Interested women may call Nance Lowry at 979-204-4215.
DRT is an organization of women who are lineal descendants of a man or woman who rendered loyal service for Texas prior to the consummation of the Annexation Agreement of the Republic of Texas with the United States of America on Feb. 19, 1846.
Wreaths Across America exists to remember veterans’ service with this philosophy:
Symbolically, wreaths represent everlasting life. These seemingly simple evergreens are more than a decoration placed on a grave. Wreaths Across America exists because hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and abroad responded to the emotional power of these wreaths and their simple ability to honor military members and their families.