Once again Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans Team members came out to pay honor and respresct to all who were laid to rest at the Central Texas Veterans State Cemetery. We also took time to visit the graves of each of the Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans members who had passed away. At each grave we prayed and thanked them for their Service and for becoming a part of the Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans Team.
SGVHV Graves visited
1. David Lehmkuhler (SGVHV Member) Deceased -2013
2. James "Don"Bailey (SGVHV Member) Deceased -2015
3. Willie Gordon (SGVHV Member) Deceased -2013
4. Willie Browning (SG-VHV Member) Deceased -2016
5. Elijah King (SGVHV Member) Deceased -2017
6. Katherine Gordon (SGVHV Member) Deceased-2019
7. Mark Mello (Spouse of SG-VHV Member) Deceased -2009
8. Keith Pullins (Spouse of SG-VHV Member) Deceased -2009
9. Earnest Peel (Spouse of SG-VHV Member) Deceased -2015
Thousands came out to honor the veterans laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery with the annual laying of the wreaths for the Wreaths for Vets Tribute held Saturday morning.
Ms Dianne Campbell was the Captain overseeing the Volunteers for Section 2 of the cemetery. CC City staff and members of the Copperas Cove Police Department, as well as students from the Copperas Cove Independent School District, including CCHS DECA, JROTC and Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans Members, all came together to distribute wreaths to family members and help lay wreaths on graves that hadn’t received a wreath.
“It’s our opportunity to honor those who served the nation and it’s really just about showing honor and respect to those who have served,” Ms. Campbell said. Her husband, Retired Gen. Charles “Hondo” Campbell, died in 2016 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
“For me, I don’t have to go all the way to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. so I feel like I honor him by serving here and everyone that served our nation deserves to be honored,” Ms Campbell said. She also said this is a wonderful opportunity for me just to acknowledge his service and sacrifice, but then also the service and sacrifice of all those who are laid to rest here. It’s a wonderful event and I’m just delighted to be a small part of it.”
Ms Timmons indicated that this year Ms Campbell added some structure and procedures for Section 2, which caused the work of that section to be much more efficient. Prior to starting to work, Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans members and had a quick meeting to ensure the new instructions were understood.
Representing Fort Hood, Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, the deputy commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, also shared a brief message of gratitude to the people present. “What these people stood for is why we are able to celebrate holidays today,” he said of the servicemembers laid to rest in the cemetery. “Today we remember those who have been laid to rest on these hallowed grounds, and we honor their service and commitment.”
The Beginning
On December 15, 2006, when Jean Shine attended the laying of six wreaths representing each branch of military at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, the cemetery held about 400 graves. “It was very special,” she says, “but I left feeling like each of the graves need its own wreath.” It was then that Jean went on a mission to find enough wreaths.
The Central Texas community continues to support our nation's heroes. The community came together once again to show their support and share their stories at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. One of the many ways is the annual holiday wreath project. Each year, thousands help to create and lay wreaths for fallen veterans.
Thousands of family members and friends remembered and honored those who served for our Freedom.
SGVHV Thank You
Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans would like to thank all of the members who came out to help:
Monroe Spencer, Georgia Bridges, Victor Robinson, Viveninne Robinson, John Cook, Sheila Timmons, Chin Walker & Granddaughter, Angela Brown, Doretha Goodson, James Brown, Thomas Sanders and Daughter, Isreal Button, Shirley Love and Dorothy Griffin and others who did not sign in.
Retrieval of the wreaths will occur on January 11th
