Wreaths delivered to the Texas State Veteran Cemetery at Abilene

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Wednesday morning, Wreaths from the Wreaths Across America nonprofit were delivered to the Texas State Veteran Cemetery at Abilene.

Community members and volunteers gathered to help unload more than 200 boxes of wreaths for the ceremony on Saturday, December 14. The program will consist of a speaker and honoring those who served.

Joseph David Cardwell, with Wreaths Across America, said the day is a time to take time out and honor the men and women laid to rest at the cemetery.

“It’s a way of honoring the Veterans, really. We do it with Memorial Day. We do it with Veterans Day. But this is just a special time of the year when we can all come out here and lay a wreath on the headstones of the Veterans and just show them a little respect and tribute to what they’ve given for their country,” Caldwell said.

This year, almost 3,000 wreaths will be laid by volunteers, but Caldwell said the day is more than just laying wreaths on gravesites.

“What we’re going to do on Saturday is you lay the wreath on the person’s grave. You’re going to say hello, their name for one thing, and then you’re going to say a little short prayer for them and their families and just remember them. And it really is touching,” Caldwell said.

The ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m., but volunteers are asked to arrive around 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. If you have questions, you can contact the office at (325) 673-4446.