Wreath donations for cemetery

I am writing to express my appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who helped make it possible to place a wreath at every grave site at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery this holiday season. A heartfelt thank you to Anna Crawford and the Lampasas Kiwanis Club, the leadership committee of the Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, the many businesses and individuals who made generous donations, the Patriot Guard riders, the local city governments and chambers of commerce, the Texas Veterans Land Board, the local press and the selfless volunteers who turned out to prepare the wreaths and later to place them at the cemetery during a busy holiday season. This effort would not have been a success without each and every one of you. Thank you for supporting your veterans cemetery.

I am particularly pleased that this turned out to be a project without limits. Neighbors from throughout Central Texas pitched in with their money and their hard work. This cemetery serves a large region, and help came from many miles away to honor our veterans and their families.

To say I am proud of this community would be a serious understatement. I am overwhelmed by your generosity -- of money and of time. Your pride in our country and our community was evident at every step of the way and is now visible in the beautiful wreaths adorning the cemetery where those who gave so much now rest. I hope we will all join together and make this an annual event for years to come.

Jean Shine

president Friends of Central Texas Veterans Cemetery