TEXAS FREEDOM CHAPTER SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HOSTS WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONIES IN MONTGOMERY TEXAS
The Texas Freedom Chapter Sons of the American Revolution members were honored to hosts a wonderful Wreaths Across America Ceremony on December 19, 2021 in Montgomery Texas “ The Birthplace of the Texas Flag”. Originally planned for December 18th which is the nationwide weekend “to remember and honor veterans” by laying wreaths on the graves of the country’s fallen heroes and Patriots, the ceremonies were postponed until Sunday, when the downpour of rain and thunderstorms prevented the groups from having the ceremony on Saturday.
(Photo L to R: Pat Spackey, Descendant of Dr. Charles B. Stewart and the honorable Sara Countryman, Mayor of Montgomery Texas as they walk to the gravesite of Texas Patriot Dr. Charles B. Stewart to lay wreaths during the Wreaths across America Ceremonies at the New Cemetery in Montgomery Texas. Texas Patriot Charles B. Stewart served Texas as the first Secretary of State, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was a member of three Texas Legislatures and is credited with creating the Lone Star Flag of Texas. )
The vision to have the Wreaths across America Ceremonies at the New Cemetery in Montgomery Texas was that of David Hamaker of the Texas Freedom Chapter Sons of the American Revolution! The SAR Freedom Chapter members who led the ceremonies were John Meredith, Ed Sellards, Loren Johnston, Dave Underdown, Tom Stuewe, John Thompson, and David Hamaker. Hamaker introduced and thanked Montgomery Mayor Sara Countryman for her efforts in making the Wreaths across America ceremonies happen for the first time at the New Montgomery Cemetery in Montgomery and she was presented with a certificate of Appreciation from the Sons of the American Revolution. David Hamaker thanked Dean Bass of the Spirit of Texas Bank for donating the hundreds of Wreaths which were placed on the graves. The Color Guard was provided by Montgomery High School JROTC, Maj. Erik Sharpe, Sr. Marine instructor. Randall Moore, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 491 and his scouts were part of marching in with the Honor guard and provided assistance all day in the laying of the wreaths. The goal of the nationwide ceremonies is to remember and honor veterans through the laying of Wreaths on the graves of the country’s fallen heroes. With the laying of the wreaths, each person or group laying a wreath was asked to “Say the name of each Veteran aloud” as they honored their memory. The numerous groups who were part of the Wreath Laying ceremonies were members of the Sons of the American Revolution, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution members: Heritage Trails chapter, NSDAR, Coushatti Trace Chapter, NSDAR and Spring Creek chapter, NSDAR; members of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Judge Nathaniel Hart Davis chapter in Montgomery, members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Thomas Jefferson Stubbs chapter and Rebel Joan of Arc chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Sons of the Republic of Texas, Lone Star Chapter and Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Students from Montgomery High School, Junior High School, and Elementary school along with the Boys Scouts and JROTC cadets who were all part of the Wreath laying ceremonies honoring their ancestors buried in the cemetery. David Hamaker introduced Pat Spackey, descendant of Texas Patriot Dr. Charles B. Stewart and the honorable Sara Countryman, Mayor of Montgomery to lay the first wreaths in the cemetery. During Wreaths Across America Day across the Country, more than 2,500 cemeteries took part in honoring these men and women who have served our county. It was a Beautiful day in Montgomery Texas!