Volunteers needed for veterans cemetery wreath preparation, placement
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Every year, volunteers place thousands of wreaths on soldiers’ graves at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Last year, there were about 9,500 graves, and this year there are nearly 11,000. The CTSVC expects about 800 new graves each year are added at the cemetery.
This Saturday, November 23, volunteers will fluff and prepare the wreaths before the wreath laying on Saturday, November 30.
The fluffing and prepping of the wreaths will take place starting at 10 a.m. at the Killeen Special Events Center at 3301 S. WS Young Dr. This event usually takes about two hours.
Next weekend, the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery located at 11463 S. Hwy 195 in Killeen. Prior to that, volunteers will be needed to help unload the thousands of wreaths.
Family members will lay wreaths on their loved one’s graves first, and then the volunteers will disperse the remaining wreaths until all are done.
The unloading of the wreaths will begin at 8:30 a.m. that Saturday. Bikers who wish to escort the wreaths to the cemetery should meet at the Killeen Special Events Center at 7 a.m.
There is limited parking at the cemetery, so it is strongly recommended to take one of the shuttle buses from the Texas A&M Central Texas campus. Volunteers should meet in the TAMUCT parking lot located on South Clear Creek Road/Loop 201. Shuttle bus service starts at 8 a.m. with buses running every 15 minutes.
Copperas Cove will be represented by a contingent of community volunteers, in past years which has included City of Copperas Cove staff, Copperas Cove ISD students, local clubs and organizations, as well as local families and individuals.
Copperas Cove will be assisting in Section 2, consisting of about 2,600 wreaths.
The tradition of laying a wreath at the gravesite and interment site of every servicemember came about after Jean Shine, of Shine Team Realtors and the former Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, observed only a select number of wreaths being placed to recognize the different branches of service and POWS. She wanted every servicemember to be honored and remembered during the holiday season.
Those attending who wish to find a particular grave can use the online nationwide gravesite locator by going to https://www.cem.va.gov/nationwide-gravesite-locator, then following the drop-down menu to select the cemetery and enter the individual’s information.
The wreaths will remain on the graves through Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, when volunteers will return to the cemetery and collect the wreaths.