Board reports Wreaths Across America application for Farmers Branch cemetery

Members of the Farmers Branch Historical Preservation & Restoration Board heard that a cemetery subcommittee has applied to participate in Wreaths Across America, the national wreath-laying program for veterans.

Speaker 4 said she has submitted an application and the district leader has acknowledged receipt; because the program requires nonprofit administration, the Friends of the Park (a 501(c)(3)) has agreed to act as the fiscal sponsor. "I have submitted the application. They have acknowledged that the application has been submitted," Speaker 4 said.

Speaker 4 described the Wreaths Across America process: site registration, an online ordering website for wreaths, and the group's plan to accept donations and allow relatives to request specific graves. She said the program typically pairs donated wreaths so that "if someone orders two, we get three wreaths," and that surplus wreaths can be reallocated to nearby cemeteries that haven’t reached their goals.

Board members discussed recruiting volunteers to place wreaths (Boy Scouts and local ROTC were suggested) and logistics such as placing tripods at gravesites prior to the wreath-laying ceremony. Speaker 4 noted that, because of timing, the group will likely postpone participation until next year but is preparing now to join the program for a future Dec. 16 campaign. "We won't get it going this year, but perhaps next year," Speaker 4 said.

The board also discussed related cemetery stewardship ideas, including partnering with outside organizations experienced in tombstone cleaning and training for community volunteers.