Wreaths Across America Celebrated at Cedar Hill Cemetery
By Christopher Miller
MILL HALL – Local non-profit organization Heroes and Horses recently celebrated a milestone achievement: fundraising $10,500 for the placement of over 900 wreaths on veterans graves at Cedar Hill Cemetery through Wreaths Across America.
“I think we determined that there were 912 veterans buried in Cedar Hill,” said Vickie Hancock, event organizer and Founder of Heroes & Horses, and Ella Yothers, Fundraising Coordinator for Heroes & Horses. “We also did a walkthrough when we were done to make sure no one was missed.”
Planning and fundraising for the event this year began well before the summer months of 2024, leading up to the annual Giving in July fundraiser, the official kick off to the planning and fundraising of the event.
On December 5, the fundraising goal set by Heroes and Horses was met, meaning that all 912 known veterans in Cedar Hill would be receiving a wreath on their grave.
“We achieved MISSION ACCOMPLISHED,” a post on social media read on December 5. “Due to the love of and commitment of community members along with Heroes & Horses, we completed our Mission. We proudly remembered the fallen. Honored those who served. And continue to teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
All contributions collected helped to achieve the goal to lay a wreath on every veterans gravesite.
“Thank you so very much to everyone that helped make this possible and to everyone that ignored the cold Saturday morning to show up and place Wreaths  on over 900 Veteran’s grave sites.  Thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts. When we were all done and laid the last wreath, a Bald Eagle flew over the cemetery and took a perch across the road as if to watch us. And then he did an honor flight over us as if to say “ job, well done thank you,” Vickie reported on social media.
