A lifetime Brownwoodian who battled Nazis in Italy’s Rapido River, a lifetime Brownwoodian who witnessed Japanese Gen.Yoshijiro Umezu surrender in Tokyo Bay, a lifetime Brownwood newlywed killed at Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam, and a lifetime Brownwoodian who flew in the first daylight raid over Berlin.
These hometown heroes are a few of the 19 veterans that Brownwood’s Daughters of the Republic of Texas celebrate in their poster exhibition now on display at the Brown County Museum of History. It’s all part of Welcome W. Chandler Chapter DRT’s effort to REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
Everyone is invited to the museum to learn about these remarkable heroes, who risked everything to preserve freedom. Museum hours are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 212 N. Broadway, across the street from the old jail.
The 14 posters tell stories of battle, service, sacrifice, and history. Photos of soldiers and of artifacts and mementos tell the stories of these heroes buried at Greenleaf.
“Our chapter is working with Wreaths Across America to honor our veterans buried at Greenleaf Cemetery,” explained Dr. Julie Welker, Welcome W. Chandler chapter president, “and this display is a perfect memorial to get a glimpse into just a few of these brave men and women from Brown County who have served and are buried at Greenleaf Cemetery.”
The WAA program sells wreath sponsorships for $17 each, and the chapter goal is to sell 2,000 of them so that every veteran buried at Greenleaf will be honored.
“We partner with Greenleaf Cemetery to work to increase wreath sales in hopes of reaching our goal of 2000. The Greenleaf Cemetery staff and board of directors are integral to all of us reaching this ambitious goal,” added Welker.
DRT will present a dramatic wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., at Greenleaf Cemetery, starring the Hardin Simmons University Six White Horses posting the United States and Texas flags. Local Boy Scout and Girls Scout troops will assist in the ceremony and help lay the wreaths on veterans’ graves. The ceremony will conclude with a three-cannon salute, honoring Brown County’s fallen heroes.
Following the ceremony those attending will be asked to help place wreaths on veterans’ headstones. As a wreath is placed, participants are asked to say the veterans’ name and thank him or her for their service.
“Last year my family, together, placed a wreath on my dad’s grave,” said Mary Lee Bailey Shelton, chapter liaison for DRT.
Shelton said it was a moving experience, and equally moving placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones she didn’t know.
“It’s a melancholy yet stirring encounter to place the wreath on a veteran’s grave,” Shelton said. “As you stand alone by this veteran you never knew, say their name, and thank them, you grasp the sacrifices these strangers, these heroes, made for our freedom. We want them to rest in honor and glory.”
The community is invited to view the veterans’ display at the Brown County Museum of History, as well as attend the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 16. The poster display will be on exhibit from Nov. 3-Dec. 29.
To help honor every veteran buried at Greenleaf rest in honor, you may sponsor wreaths by going to wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1050P. Or you may scan the QR code on the flyer. Or you may mail a check to Nancy Lowry, Treasurer; Welcome W. Chandler Chapter, DRT, P.O. Box 272, Bangs, Texas, 76823.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is a lineal association dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the founding families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas. For information about joining the local chapter, contact a member of the Welcome W. Chandler DRT, including Shelton at 575-644-5121 or Welker at 325-998-3124 .
