Houston, Texas – The century old American Legion, comprised of war-time veterans, has adopted the mission to serve veterans and the community with volunteer activities focused on their key pillars: Veterans and Rehabilitation, Americanism, National Security, and Children and Youth. One seasonal focus has been Wreaths Across America, where deceased veterans receive a beautiful wreath at their place of burial. Wreaths Across America (www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org) was founded by a couple Morrill and Karen Worcester with the simple idea of placing a surplus of wreaths at the Veterans Memorial at Arlington Cemetery in 2005. This gesture spawned a national movement of volunteers who now gather in small towns and major cities across America to remember our veterans who have served and passed on, never to be forgotten for their sacrifice and service to our great nation.
“Beginning Saturday December 16th, our division comprised of 7 districts, 96 posts, and 53,000 veterans and have raised funds to buy and coordinate volunteers to place a beautiful a wreath provided by Wreaths Across America on veteran gravesites in our region,” says Butch Sparks, Air Force Veteran and Commander of the Division, “Wreaths Across America is an annual event honoring those veterans at cemeteries across the country. What a wonderful way of acknowledging the great sacrifices our veterans have made. Please volunteer to participate in this great tradition.”
Some of the cemeteries where wreathes are to be placed include Magnolia Cemetery in Katy, Forest Park Lawndale, Houston National Cemetery in Houston, and Killeen Veterans, to name a few.
Sample promo video Legion Post 164 (Katy, TX): www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNzrASvkR2s
“This is a labor of love and dedication and takes all year to plan and raise money from the community where individuals and organizations cans sponsor wreaths,” says James McGuire, 22nd District department of Texas Commander, “The American Legion coordinates the delivery and volunteers to specific cemeteries for flawless placement and respect of the recipient.”
The State Commander D.E. “Gene” Toohey will give the Keynote Address at the Magnolia Cemetery in Katy at 10AM.
The Division estimates that several thousand wreaths will be placed on gravesites in the region thanks to our dedicated members, their families, and local volunteers.
These events will make you proud to be an American.
To review a complete schedule of activity of the 2nd Division Department of Texas, American Legion, and their prospective posts, please visit: www.txlegiondiv2.org
###
2nd Division Department of Texas American Legion
Media Contact: Andy Valadez, Public Relations Officer Direct: 713.560.3348
E-mail: Andy@AndyValadez.com.com