Cemetery hopes to honor veterans for holidays

The Mansfield Cemetery Association wants to salute the city’s deceased veterans this Christmas, and they’re looking for some help.

“We’re raising money to put wreaths on veterans’ graves to honor families and veterans,” said Karisa Beasley, communications officer for the cemetery association.

The decorations will be part of Wreaths Across America, which will provide real evergreen wreaths with red bows for $15 each. Wreaths Across America will donate one free wreath for every two that the cemetery association purchases.

“We need 400 wreaths for the veterans in the Mansfield Cemetery and the Mansfield Community Cemetery,” Beasley said. “We’ve raised $375 so far and need $4,000. I’m going buy one for my grandfather and uncle. I have another person whose mom is buying for their family.

“If we don’t raise enough, some veterans will have to go without,” Beasley said.

In order to get the wreaths in time for the holidays, funds are due by Nov. 18, Beasley said. She’s hoping that veterans groups, non-profits, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will step up to help.

To donate, funds can be mailed to the Mansfield Cemetery Association Wreaths, P.O. Box 1501, Mansfield, TX 76063, or click here.

The wreaths will be set out on the graves Dec. 17, followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the cemeteries, which are off Burl Ray Road. Volunteers will be needed to help place the wreaths on the graves before the ceremony, Beasley said. Anyone who can volunteer can sign up here.

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