Almost 500 Veteran Graves Will Receive Wreaths At Cookeville City Cemetery

Four hundred ninety-five veterans will receive a wreath on their grave at the Cookeville City Cemetery Saturday.

It is a part of the “Wreaths Across America” program that honors those who served each December. Mayor Randy Porter said the program begins at noon.

“I think our community has always been great to honor our veterans, and I think this is just another example if how much they respect and appreciate all those men and women that served in our military and continue to serve,” Porter said.

Porter said all are invited, especially those who have family members buried. Porter said you will have an opportunity to lay a wreath on your loved one’s grave. Porter said veterans date back all the way to World War I.

“Tracy Chamberlin with Caris Healthcare is the one that kind of got this started,” Porter said. “She put a lot of time into it working with the cemetery going through the files. It is kinda of spreading already. I think Crest Lawn Cemetery joined in and are doing something at 11:00 a.m.”

Porter said a representative from the program contacted the county about the event. Porter said after Cookeville City Cemetery was selected, sponsors funded the wreaths in just 24 hours. Porter said he would like to see the program become an annual event.

Extra parking will be available on Scott Ave across from the cemetery at Scott Ave Church.