Wreaths Across America: Montgomery Memorial Cemetery

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The annual ‘Wreaths Across America’ mission to remember all Veterans buried in cemeteries across The Nation was held this past Saturday. Each year, Christmas wreaths are placed at the gravesites of hundreds of thousands of Veterans buried across the land. This year, a number of organizations in Montgomery teamed up to honor Veterans buried at the Montgomery Memorial Cemetery, a Historically Black sacred burial site. It officially dates from 1863, but some say it dates back to before the town itself. It’s an important link to Black cultural history and family connections in the area. The Montgomery High School Marine Corp Junior ROTC, along with local Boy Scout Troop 351, Girl Scout Troop 907, and Cub Scout Pack 907, all took part in placing wreaths at the dozens of graves in the cemetery.

A short ceremony was held to post Our Nation’s Colors by the MHS JROTC, followed by a moment of silence to remember The Nation’s Fallen, Prisoners of War, Missing in Action; as well as to Honor those who have Served, and are now serving in Our Nation’s Armed Services.

“Coming here puts into perspective what the ultimate cost is for freedom,” said Montgomery resident Doug Munoz, who was at the cemetery with his family to place a wreath at a gravesite. “And my family and I are happy to do a small part for those who served, and for those who gave their lives for Our Freedom.”

The JROTC, the Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts, then gathered boy or girl to each collect a wreath to distribute at the Veterans gravesites, which had been previously scouted and had small American flags posted in front of them.

The Memorial Cemetery is said to have been founded with a land grant in 1831, which predates the founding of Montgomery, and the Texas Revolution; and has always been a place of burial for Black Texans and Americans. Black soldiers from both World Wars are buried in the cemetery, as well as soldiers who fought in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. One soldier, Sam Terry, served in Company F of the 366th Infantry Regiment, which was one of the few segregated units to see combat in France during World War I, and North Africa and Italy during World War II. It hasn’t been confirmed if any Buffalo Soldiers are in residence at the cemetery, but chances are there may be one in an unmarked grave.

“When we got the historical marker it was noted as being from 1863,“ said longtime Montgomery resident T.J. Wilkerson, who has relatives buried in the cemetery. “But I have documentation dating the cemetery to May 10th, 1831.” Mr. Wilkerson went on to say that the area had a mill, and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church originated out of the graveyard. He and some church friends were instrumental in cleaning out the back of the cemetery 15 years ago, and he discovered graves from 1863, but the new apartment developers may have inadvertently destroyed some of the oldest gravestones during the construction phase of the project.

The JROTC, the Scouts and Cubs were reminded that they were not there to “decorate graves,” but to remember the Veterans lives, and not their deaths. That each wreath is a gift from a grateful Nation. What started at Arlington National Cemetery in the early 1990’s as a personal tribute by a Maine-based wreath maker, has since evolved into an annual event, with thousands of individual groups participating in a nationwide effort.

One young Cub Scout, Malcolm Collins, 8, who attended the ceremony with Scout Pack 907, had the honor of placing a wreath on the grave of one of his ancestors; PFC Aaron Jones Jr., who was in the Army Air Force at Randolph Field in San Antonio, during World War II.

“I thought it was a beautiful ceremony,“said Montgomery resident Sandra Johnson, who also has many relatives, including Veterans, buried at the cemetery. “I’m touched to see the young people come out and recognize The Patriotism of Black Veterans who have served The Country.”

Wreaths Across America’s mission is to ‘Remember - Honor - Teach’ with the drive to instill one or more core values:
Remember the fallen.
Honor those who serve and their families.
Teach the next generations about the value of freedom.

“I felt a sense of gratitude, and I thank the soldiers who have gone before me,” said MHS Marine Corp Junior ROTC First Sergeant Nathaniel Peacock, who placed a wreath at the gravesite of World War I Veteran Perkins Franklin. “They served and some died for the freedoms we now have.”

Wreaths Across America coordinated the wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 3,000 cemeteries this year, in all 50 US states and international Veterans cemeteries across The World. The organization is a non-profit so it receives no government funding, but relies on thousands of volunteer organizations, to keep the memories of the Veterans deeds and actions alive.

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net

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