Katy Area Residents to Lay Wreaths for Veterans at Katy Magnolia Cemetery
This Saturday, December 17, members of the Katy community will gather for an annual wreath laying ceremony at Katy Magnolia Cemetery, one of Katy's original cemeteries where 550 veterans will be honored with symbolic wreaths through the Wreaths Across America program.
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, which falls on December 17 this year, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Grounded in mission to remember, honor and teach, Wreaths Across America is powered by dedicated volunteers who have a passion for carrying on this meaningful tradition to younger generations while collectively remembering the brave men and women who gave their lives in service of our country.
Although Veterans Day honors our servicemen and women in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, but our service members sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve our freedoms. In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Wreaths Across America believes that there is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
| Linda Malsbary, volunteer coordinator for the Katy Magnolia Cemetery wreath laying ceremony, garners support from local organizations to carry out the tasks necessary to host the ceremony. This year, Taylor High School FFA will hep with chair setup in the pavilion, Mayde Creek High School's ROTC will post colors, a local National Charity League chapter will pass out programs, and various local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops will be on scene to assist. |  |
Each year, coordinators and volunteers provide an opportunity for education during the wreath laying ceremony about traditions of remembrance and ways that we honor our fallen servicemen and women. Last year, information was shared about what each fold means for the flag triangle, a symbol of grief and mourning for fallen soldiers.
This year, youth volunteers will learn about the tradition of placing a penny on the grave of a veteran, which means that a veteran's grave was visited. Each child will be provided with a penny to place on each grave that they lay a wreath on, tying in the lesson by putting it into practice. Additionally, 10 youth representatives will explain why 10 balsam branches are used to make each wreath, which represents everlasting life.
"We try to continue educating so the youth can carry it on to perpetuate the tradition in the future, to keep this commitment to honor our veterans in this way," said Malsbary.
If you are interested in participating, volunteers are still needed to come to the cemetery and lay wreaths on Saturday, December 17. To learn more about this local Wreaths Across America initiative, please visit their Facebook page. For more information about the Wreaths Across America organization, please visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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