Wreaths Across America expands to seven Wood County cemeteries

The Wreaths Across America program continues to grow across Wood County.

This year the program that places Christmas wreaths on the graves of military veterans during the holiday season will be honoring those who served at seven local cemeteries.

The New Hope Cemetery east of Mineola is joining the program this year. The cemetery, established in 1864, has 112 veterans graves to honor, including some Civil War veterans.

Other participating cemeteries this year include Roselawn north of Mineola, which is the home to more than 700 veterans. Others include Hawkins Cemetery, Holly Tree Cemetery, Lee Cemetery in Winnsboro and the Shady Grove and Pineview Cemeteries.

Wreaths will be placed on Saturday, Dec. 14 following a brief ceremony at most locations.

The wreaths cost $17 apiece.

They can be purchased at the website wreathsacrossamerica.org and may be designated to a specific cemetery, and in some cases, to a specific grave.

The codes for the local cemeteries are as follows, along with the number of wreaths needed  (as of Nov. 20) and ceremony times:

New Hope TXNHCM 110 wreaths needed, ceremony at 11 a.m.

Roselawn TXBFHM 57 more needed, ceremony at 11 a.m.

Holly Tree TXHTCR, 94 wreaths, goal exceeded, ceremony at 10 a.m.

Hawkins TXHCBS 150 wreaths, goal exceeded, ceremony at noon

Shady Grove TXSGCW 110 wreaths needed, ceremony at 1 p.m.

Pineview TXPINE 34 wreaths needed (joint ceremony with Shady Grove)

Lee Cemetery TXLEEC 469 wreaths needed, ceremony at 11 a.m.

Volunteers may also contribute by attending the events and helping put out the wreaths. Donations are also accepted to defray various administration and transportation expenses.