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A flag and wreath on a soldier's
|Remember, Respect, Honor
Jimmy and Dena Loyd of Sulphur Springs have blazed a trail for remembering local veterans with the Wreaths Across America project.
After researching the nationwide veteran's tribute program and what it promotes — to honor, remember, teach — the couple planned the first local event in December of 2018 at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery/ Mel Haven Cemetery.
With help from friends and the grave listings already created by James and Annada Jones, over a period of a few weeks, the headstone of every veteran’s grave was marked with a small utility flag, and the headstone was cleaned, if needed. Then, each received a fresh balsam fir wreath with a red velveteen bow, as provided by the Worchester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine.
“That first year, the City Cemetery had 475 wreaths standing solemnly and names spoken aloud as part of the tribute, and since then, more veterans headstones have been identified. Retired Army Sgt. James Clayton Bounds provided a moving address for the attendees during our first ceremony,” Dena recalled.
The Loyds' motivation to partner in a WAA program was made because their son, Chad Loyd, who gave his life serving his country in Iraq, was laid to rest in the City Cemetery by the military escort which brought him home in the summer of 2006.
Participation has grown This year, more than a dozen Hopkins County cemeteries will host a WAA event. Most are located in southern Hopkins County, but Dena hopes in the future all county cemeteries will host the event so that the veterans buried in them can be properly recognized each Christmas season. The second largest cemetery in Hopkins County, Restlawn Memorial Park, committed to that, when Tim Fuller stepped forward as location coordinator this year.
“I was impressed with the wreaths, the volunteerism, and the amazing network of commercial transportation that carries these wreaths across the country so that the tribute can be paid in every cemetery on the same date. I placed wreaths last year, and it is a powerful emotion that rises when you lay the wreath and speak the name aloud of the soldier buried there. It can be an emotional experience.”
In Restlawn Cemetery, about 350 more wreaths will be needed to cover all the veteran's headstones, Fuller stated. At City Cemetery, 526 wreaths are needed.
Wreaths can be purchased for $17; when two are purchased together, a third wreath is donated.
Orders can be placed online or through Loyd by phone. Wreaths ordered before Nov. 28 will be shipped together and dropped at central locations, designated in batches for the specific cemeteries.
“Because part of the tribute is to teach the next generation, I encourage all families to consider joining in. Place an order of at least two wreaths, and bring the children to participate in the laying of them in the cemetery. Finding out where our freedoms come from can make a lasting impression,” Loyd affirmed. She also encourages the use of the online order system.
Go to www.wreathsacrossamerica. org/tx0613 to designate the Sulphur Springs City/Mel Haven Cemetery. And go to www. wreathsacrossamerica.org/ txrest to designate the order for Restlawn Memorial Park. The last section of the address after the forward slash is especially important as it designates the order to be shipped to the correct cemetery.” She also shared contact phone numbers for more details. Call Dena Loyd at 903-348-8174 or Tim at 903-348-9652.
Other participating WAA cemeteries in Hopkins County for 2023 include: Shooks Chapel, Gafford Chapel, Rockdale, Union, Greenview, Old Saltillo, Brashear, Old and New Pickton, Winterfield, Mahoney, and Oddfellows. To become a participant, please contact the location coordinators in those communities.