Katy Community to Honor, Decorate Veteran Graves with Christmas Wreaths

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

December 15, 2022

By Natalie Cook Clark

This Saturday, 558 veteran’s graves will be decorated with wreaths to honor their service this holiday season. Ceremonies are open to the public. This is a great way to honor their service.

“Wreaths Across America’s goal is to lay a wreath on every veteran’s grave across the United States,” says Katy Mayor William “Dusty Thiele. “The Wreaths Across America ceremony allows us, as Americans, to remember the sacrifices made by so many to defend our freedom.”

Wreaths Across America is this Saturday

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit Post 164 will host their annual Wreaths Across America event this Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Katy Magnolia Cemetery (6801 Franz Road.)

“We’re remembering the veterans who died for our freedom, we’re honoring their service, and we’re teaching their values by including the next generation,” says American Legion Auxiliary Division 2 president Gillian Woodstrom.

Local Boy and Girl Scouts will be out to participate in the ceremony and decorating of graves.

“The Katy community continues to support and participate in the Wreaths Across American Program. The City of Katy is thankful and grateful for local American Legion Post 164 along with their Auxiliary, Sons and Riders, and many other Katy military and community groups who plan and participate in this event every year to honor our veterans,” says Mayor Thiele.

Katy’s Magnolia Cemetery is the resting place for veterans dating back to the Civil War. In addition to a ceremony where city officials and veterans will speak, those who attend can take the donated wreaths and decorate identified graves with the goal to decorate all veteran graves for Christmas.

Families can also join in on another Katy area Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Antioch Community Cemetery located on Stockdick Road between FM 1463 and Danover Street. That ceremony will begin around noon this Saturday.

“This is an event to honor our heroes that have served this nation, there is no better way to celebrate their service,” says City of Katy Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris.

Katy Poet Pens Poem for Event

Hubert E. Cormier II, who most know as “Ernie,” is a Katy veteran of the Vietnam era. He’s member of American Legion Post 164 (past Commander) and Katy Elks Lodge 2628 (past Exalted Ruler.)

Cormier currently serves as Poet Laureate for both the Katy chapters of the American Legion and Katy Elks Lodge. He has also published poetry.

To celebrate this event, he has written a new poem that will be read at the event.

I Will Be Your Friend Hubert E. Cormier II, Poet Laureate When I can, I come visit with you, And for more than a minute or two. I come to visit for a little while And hope that it makes you smile. Put here alone in your family estate Never wanting this to be your fate, That after awhile you'd come to learn Very few, if any, would ever return. So I come on this day in December, To let you know I still remember, A place a wreath upon your headstone, To remind you you'll never be alone. And until my time has come to an end, I will visit you, I will be your friend.

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