The members of the Callaway American Legion Auxiliary believe it is important to not only honor fallen veterans on special days like Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but all throughout the year. Last year the ladies launched a program designed to recognize our veterans at this very special time of year as well.

The inaugural laying of wreaths on veterans graves at Rose Hill Cemetery last year received even more support than the Auxiliary ladies could have hoped for, as a total of 149 wreaths were placed on veteran graves.

“We got the idea for Christmas Wreaths for Veterans from Wreaths Across America,” explained Jo Chesley. Chesley said that the Auxiliary chose not to join the national event, so they could maintain local control of when and how the wreaths are placed.

The wreaths were not easy to come by that first year, and Chesley said she had people picking up wreaths at Home Depot locations from Lincoln to Scottsbluff. The cost for the initial wreaths was about $10 each, and with being artificial Chesley said they will be able to use them for many years. “The Legion helped us figure out storage so we have a nice place for them,” she added.

On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, a group of volunteers met at the cemetery to lay the wreaths. “This project is to show our thanks not only to the veterans but to the veterans families. We want them to know that we never forget, and that we will always honor, respect and appreciate what they did for our country,” said Chesley.

The Auxiliary has launched the project with the hope that the community will carry it on, both physically and financially for years to come. Chesley said there are 200 veterans buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, and this year the Auxiliary had enough wreaths for every one of those graves. The long range goal of the Auxiliary is to make the wreaths available at local rural cemeteries as well.