Masonic Lodges Support Wreaths Across America

Freestone and Limestone County Masons have answered the call and stepped up to support “Veteran Remembrance Wreath” sponsorships, honoring fallen veterans in partnership with Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the Jonathan Hardin Chapter (JHC) of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
JHC member Mary Ellen Marcotte was sharing information about WAA from a booth at the recent Fairfield Fuzzy Peach Festival in Fairfield and was giving details to festival attendees about the registered cemeteries in Freestone and Limestone Counties. Her husband, Ed Marcotte, marshal of the Springfield Masonic Lodge, was supporting his wife at the event and saw an opportunity to raise funds for the wreath sponsorships by making similar presentations to his brother Masonic Lodges. This outreach resulted in tremendous support.
The District 22 Masonic Lodges, along with individual members made generous donations. More than $1,400 was presented to Patti Gauntt, regent–JHC; and Beth Harrison, WAA group sponsorship leader.
Eighty-four wreaths will be sponsored and laid on veteran graves at the annual ceremony.
This year’s ceremonies will be held Dec. 14, which is National Wreaths Across America Day, at LaSalle Cemetery  in Groesbeck, New Hope Cemetery in Jewett, Salem and Driver Cemeteries in Teague and Wortham/Blind Lemon Memorial Cemeteries in Wortham. There are about 582 veterans buried at these five sites who will be recognized and honored on that day.
“We thank each of the Masonic Lodges for their generosity and participation in remembering our fallen heroes. Each of our fallen heroes offered the last full measure of devotion for our nation, and for our freedom.  With the Masonic Lodges’ tremendous support, each of these Veterans will be remembered with a wreath. They will not be forgotten,” said a spokesperson via press release.
For more information about WAA, visit the webpage www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1128P .