Nearly 8000 wreaths now mark the graves in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery after the 11th Annual Wreath laying service held by the Killeen Community. Started in 2007 by Jean Shine, the ceremony was once a small mission enacted by a few hundred volunteers. Today, the annual event sees thousands of volunteers and recognition from the City of Killeen, State of Texas, and Fort Hood.
Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, the Commanding General at II Corps and Fort Hood, spoke at the event Saturday.
"The wreath laying tradition started over a decade ago," General Funk said. "It is only possible because of you, the remarkable men and women of this great community... your teamwork with Wreaths for Vets, insures that a wreath is placed on every grave."
In 2007, Jean Shine found out that wreaths had been laid on some graves but was 400 short. Shine bought the wreaths herself, and worked with a group of volunteers to put them out. Wreaths for Vets was born and their mission continues today.
The ceremony eventually became a formal tradition for the community. Gold Star families lay the first wreaths at the large black memorial stones in the front of the Cemetery, then other families place wreaths for their loved ones, and volunteers make sure every other grave is covered. Wreaths for Vets estimates there were 5000 volunteers working Saturday.
Clarence Enochs, who volunteered at the very first wreath laying event, still can't believe how far the tradition has come.
"It's always been an inspirational experience to come out and participate, but to see what it's evolved to now from relatively humble beginnings, it speaks to Ms. Shine and the community." Enochs said. "From what I recall we started with less than a thousand wreaths."
Volunteers will come back out to the cemetery to pick up the wreaths on January 12th, 2019
Anyone wanting to get involved with Wreaths for Vets can connect with the organization here and go to their website: www.wreathsforvets.org
