Killeen Daily Herald courtesy photo
This November, the Friends of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery are inviting the community to come together to honor those who have served our nation with a series of wreath-laying events at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
The University Police Department at Texas A&M University–Central Texas is leading a team of university employees interested in participating in the event. Officer Joeliqua Williams is leading the A&M–Central Texas team. Anyone employee or student interested in participating is encouraged to contact her via email at joe.williams@tamuct.edu
The series of events will kick off with a Wreath Preparation Day on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Killeen Special Events Center located at 3301 S WS Young Drive. Starting at 10 a.m., community members are encouraged to participate in preparing wreaths, an activity that usually lasts about two hours. Participants are asked to bring a table if possible, to help accommodate the materials.
A week later, on November 30, the main Wreath Laying Ceremony will commence at 10 a.m. at the cemetery itself, located at 11463 South Highway 195. To facilitate attendance, parking will be available at Texas A&M University–Central Texas with shuttle buses running from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bikers wishing to escort the wreaths to the cemetery are invited to meet at 7 a.m. at the Killeen Special Events Center.
During the ceremony, family members of the deceased veterans will have the opportunity to lay wreaths on their loved ones’ graves first. Volunteers will then continue to place wreaths on every grave, ensuring no one is forgotten.
The events will conclude with a Wreath Retrieval ceremony on January 11, 2024, where volunteers will gather again to respectfully remove and store the wreaths. Shuttle services for this event will also be available from Texas A&M University–Central Texas from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to wear Texas A&M University-Central Texas attire to show university support and unity in honoring our veterans. Those interested in volunteering can sign up at https://forms.gle/mLgiMxSVEECWwdCq7.