Annual wreath laying draws thousands of volunteers

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Cool temperatures on Saturday morning did not discourage thousands of volunteers and soldiers’ family members from converging on the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen for the annual wreath laying. 

This year a total of 16,501 wreaths were placed on the gravesites , acknowledging the collective effort to honor each interred person.

Prior to the wreath placement, there was a brief ceremony during which Hilary Shine talked about the event’s origins in 2006 with her mother’s, Jean Shine, vision to honor every life laid to rest in the cemetery annually. 

That first year, it began with wreaths and bows for the 300 graves in 2006. Over 19 years, community participation has grown to thousands helping to prepare wreaths last weekend.

Shine said that the event is being recognized as the national standard, with groups from across the country and state emulating it.

Tony Dale, on behalf of the Texas Land Commissioner, thanked the community for their support and acknowledges the Texas Veterans Land Board’s responsibilities. He likewise expressed gratitude to the United States Army for the donation of land and to the City of Killeen for maintaining the grounds.

III Corps commander, Lieutenant General Kevin Admiral, served as the keynote speaker. 

“161 years ago this month, Americans stood in a cemetery, (and a man said), ‘The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what we did here.’ That man was Abraham Lincoln. He gave that speech during the ceremony consecrating Gettysburg National Cemetery. This cemetery holds over 12,000 service members and 4,000 family members. Our ceremony today is a way to commemorate their service and sacrifice and rededicate ourselves to honoring their memories. The veterans interred here have served in every conflict from World War One through the Global War on Terror,” Admiral said. “Over 40 of them gave the last full measure of devotion and were killed in action while defending our nation. We are here this morning to honor their sacrifice and the sacrifices of that many who made who are buried here today. We also honor the family members endured here. They serve the sacrifice alongside their veterans. In today’s military and throughout history, service members have relied on the support and the love of their families. This support is what makes our service possible. It is fitting that we honor them alongside of their veterans.”

After the ceremony which concluded with the playing of “Taps”, family members were able to place a wreath on their loved ones’ graves. Then, the volunteers followed them to place wreaths on the remaining gravesites. 

Sharon and Michael Miles of Copperas Cove have rarely missed a wreath laying event in 15 years. 

“This has been a family tradition for us every year. We started coming here when Caleb was in Boy Scouts; he’s 30 now.”

Dianne Campbell of Copperas Cove has likewise championed the cause for getting volunteers from the Copperas Cove community to help prepare, place, and retrieve wreaths every year. 

Campbell’s late husband, General Charles “Hondo” Campbell, is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. 

She looks at the annual tradition as a way for the local community to not only remember those interred there, but to be there on behalf of those whose family members do not have the opportunity to visit.

“It’s about honoring those who serve, honoring those who serve our nation. I think it’s worthwhile,” she said. “Their families appreciate it. I’m not in Arlington, but I love that my husband has someone there to remember him.”

The more than 16,500 wreaths will remain in place until Saturday, Jan. 11, when volunteers will return to the cemetery to retrieve the wreaths.