KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 16, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
This Saturday, over 500 veteran’s graves will be decorated with wreaths to honor their service this holiday season. Ceremonies are open to the public.
Photo courtesy of Katy's American Legion Post 164.
Katy’s American Legion Post 164 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 9182 will lay close to 500 wreaths at veteran graves at Katy Magnolia Cemetery. The historic cemetery is the resting place for veterans dating back to the Civil War.
To Give Thanks and Honor
“This event is held at this time of the year to remined us to give thanks and honor those who took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution. Who gave a part, if not all, of their life and that they never be forgotten,” says Ernie Cormier, Poet Laureate.
The ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, December 18 at Katy Magnolia Cemetery (6801 Franz Road.) This year’s keynote speaker will be Brett Watson, Department Commander the American Legion Department of Texas.
The ceremony is open to the public. Those who attend can help lay wreaths at the graves to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those graves with family present will go first.
Photo courtesy of Katy's American Legion Post 164.
The local Daughters of the American Revolution will host another ceremony at the cemetery owned by the Antioch Baptist Church. The cemetery is at the corner of FM 1463 and Stockdick. That ceremony will be at noon this Saturday and also open to the public.
Katy American Legion Poet Laureate, Ernie Cormier wrote a poem to further honor the event.
A Wreath Upon each Grave ©
By Hubert E. Cormier II, Poet Laureate
Today, I went to the Cemetery,
To honor all who were brave,
To help place a simple holiday wreath,
Upon each Veteran's grave.
Girls Scouts came to the cemetery,
To honor all who gave,
And place a single penny,
Upon the headstone of each veteran's grave.
Boy Scouts came to the cemetery,
To honor all who served to save,
Our cherished freedoms and liberties,
With a slow salute at each veteran's grave
.
Veterans, families and friends came today,
To honor a comrade, loved one or friend,
And thank them for their sacrifice,
And their memories of them never end.
Many came to honor the brave,
To give thanks to those who gave,
And their memories, we will save,
By placing a wreath upon each grave.