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Wreaths Across America in need of sponsors to honor fallen heroes
Wreaths Across America Austin is only about halfway to their sponsorship goal and there's less than a week left for people to donate.
AUSTIN, Texas - A local organization needs a little help honoring veterans this holiday season.
Wreaths Across America Austin is only about halfway to their sponsorship goal and there's less than a week left for people to donate. Honoring each veteran at the Texas State Cemetery with their own holiday wreath is part of Wreaths Across America Austin’s goal every holiday season.
“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to say their name because there's the physical death and then, when you stop saying their name, you forget them and we never want to forget,” volunteer co-chair Ellen Fuller said.
Fuller joined after the national organization stole her heart with one simple gesture.
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“Well, when my dad died in 2011, when I went to visit his grave at Arlington, I was so touched that first December to find a wreath on his grave,” said Fuller.
For the past few years, the Austin chapter has placed remembrance wreaths on veteran's graves at the Texas State Cemetery.
“We can't bring them back, but, just to acknowledge their service and sacrifice, it's something we can do that's easy,” Fuller said.
This year, wreath sponsorships are lagging.
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“We're about halfway there. About 1,500 of the 3,100 that we need,” said Fuller.
Usually by now, the organization is about 90 percent of the way to their goal and the clock is ticking.
“We need to have them sponsored by Monday, December 2,” Fuller said.
The last thing Fuller wants to do is leave any American hero out of the ceremony.
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“It will be a tough choice if we have to decide and rotate around,” said Fuller. “They were somebody's father, brother, mother, aunt, so that's how we keep them alive."
Sponsoring a wreath costs $15 and can be done online. The organization also needs volunteers of all ages to place the wreaths. That event happens December 14 at 11 a.m. at the Texas State Cemetery.