Wreaths Across Grimes County
Patriotism prevailed in spite of wind, cold and torrential rain Saturday, Dec. 18! Thanks to the efforts of Grimes County Location Coordinator Kathy Cave Wells, Regent of the Robert Raines Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day made its debut in Grimes County.
Following a ceremony outside Oakland Cemetery’s Madeley Chapel in Navasota, more than 200 wreaths were placed on Grimes County veterans’ graves at cemeteries throughout the county. Wells noted similar ceremonies were taking place at 2,800 participating locations across the United States.
Honor past 250 years, shape next 250
Guest speaker was former DAR Texas Regent and former NSDAR President, Lynn Forney-Young. Forney-Young also has the distinction of being named by Congress to the America250 Commission to prepare for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.
Quoting the second U.S. president, John Adams, Forney-Young said, “You’ll never know how much it cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you’ll make good use of it.”
She continued, “Let us be good stewards of the land of the free and the home of the brave so that our actions may inspire our descendants to reflect on the first 250 years of this country and see that we were good stewards in deed.”
In her closing remarks, Wells said, “To our children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free, they have come with a cost that someday you may have to pay yourself. As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and injustice. Thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.”
Placing ceremonial wreaths
Following speakers’ comments, participants placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, or are serving:
• United States Army – Hal Reed
• United States Marine Corps – Charlie Hopper
• United States Navy – Stephen Dupree
• United States Air Force – on behalf of Carl Dry, wreath placed by Pattie Pederson
• United States Space Force - Clay Goss
• United States Coast Guard – Carlos Santa Maria
• United States Merchant Marines – Gary Williamson
• In honor of the 193,129 United States servicemen from all branches of service whose last known status was prisoner of war or missing in action, and never returned home - Steve Storey
• In honor of the “22 a Day” veterans who have difficulty coping with life after military service – Hal Reed
• In honor of Gold Star families whose children made the ultimate sacrifice – Brenda Storey
After the ceremonial wreath laying, participants placed wreaths by military markers at Oakland Cemetery and members of Amer ican Legion McClusky Post 640 departed to lay wreaths at the Zion Lutheran, St. Stanislaus and Oddfellows cemeteries in Anderson.
Group effort
In addition to the DAR, Grimes County VFW Post 4006, American Legion McCluskey Post 640, the Grimes County Historical Commission, youth groups included Boy Scout Troop 361 and the Texas
Society Children of the American Revolution (TSCAR).
Wells credited granddaughter and co-Location Coordinator Kenzi May Stewart, who’s active in both the Texas and National societies of CAR, with the idea that triggered pursuing WAA for Grimes County.
The second annual Wreaths Across America Day in Grimes County will take place Dec. 17, 2022.