Wreaths Across America Saturday

Killeen Daily Herald - Killeen, TX, USA

Posted on: Tuesday, December 09, 2008, 6:03 AM

The Wreaths Across America ceremony will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Assembly Area at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, hosted by the W.R. Hold Chapter 147 of the Disabled American Veterans of Killeen.

More than 350 cemeteries across the United States will take part in Wreaths Across America, including 13 sites in Texas.

The ceremony Saturday will start with a minute of silence, which will take place at the same time nationally. During the ceremony, wreaths will be placed for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. The POW/MIA wreath will be laid by a former World War II POW in Germany.

The guest speaker for the ceremony will be Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of III Corps and Fort Hood. There will be music by the 1st Cavalry Division band, along with a 21-gun salute and a playing of Taps. Wreaths Across America has three missions: remember the fallen, honor those who serve or have served, and teach children the value of freedom.

The public is invited.

Last year, nearly 100 Central Texans honored veterans during the Wreaths Across America ceremony in Killeen.

"The Wreaths Across America ceremony is to remember those who have served this country, honor those who are serving this country and to teach the children that freedom didn't come free. It had a price," said Johnson in 2007.

Johnson, who coordinates the event, is a U.S. Army veteran who trained soldiers during the Vietnam and Korean wars. He is commander of the DAV Chapter 147.

For veterans organizations wanting to place wreaths, call (254) 634-7918.