Veterans honored with wreaths

Last Saturday was a big day for me. It was my birthday, not a big one, just a bigger one and I was invited to lunch with Judy and Mike. After that, we visited with Aunt Norma prior to placing flowers on Uncle Roy’s grave. We were lucky that some of her family came by to celebrate Ellie’s third birthday, Kyle and Laura’s oldest daughter.

I approached Ellie and she let me pick her up. She wasn’t impressed when I explained I had a great granddaughter with the same name as hers or that it was also my birthday. Maybe she was concerned I may want some of her cake. After we sang her a birthday song and she blew out candles, Grandma Frances asked if she wanted to sing Happy Birthday to me. After consideration, Ellie took me by the hand to the table. As I began to sit down, she said that I was at her chair and I should sit at the one beside it. Perhaps, the Molitor blood was showing or was that Finke? She did sing to me and I felt honored.

After stopping at Zion cemetery and returning to White Hall, I got my helper, Chucky, and we went to the Salem Lutheran cemetery. While Judy put new flowers on relatives’ graves, Chucky asked to do the proper ceremony and placement of the wreaths from Wreaths Across America that I was fortunate to have. We only had eight, so we were not able to honor all the veterans. Chucky stood at the military marker, announced the name, branch of service then thanked the veteran for their service before laying the wreath. It was very moving especially for Judy and I when he put one on the grave of our dad, Ervin Molitor. None of the great grandchildren met Poppa Ervin. We know that those kiddos would have been really rotten if he had been here to know them.

Later that day, Kacie and family made supper for me. I had gumbo with shrimp, crab meat and sausage, a fondue with garlic bread and cake. I was stuffed by that evening.

On Sunday, Larry came from Beasley for a job, so he took me to eat for lunch. This week has been leftovers every day until Christmas Day and then it was a smorgasbord of snack foods, as usual.

My baking and deliveries were completed Tuesday. Once again, my helper Chucky, was with me. I know he was a bit bored since he is not a child who immediately feels comfortable with people he doesn’t know, but at all six stops everyone was so kind to him. When we got back to the car, I could not get him to stop talking! We ate lunch and by surprise we saw my BFF, Sandra, with her son Justin and wife Lisa. We made a quick stop for a few items for Christmas day and when we got home, that was it for me.

Here is a little more information about the Wreaths Across America. This was the first year for Grimes County to participate and with that in mind, many of us did not really understand the process. Next year, hopefully, I can get the word out earlier in order for people to help sponsor the wreaths and we can work on getting even more veterans’ graves marked. This project was started by one man and has grown over the years to become a huge endeavor to honor the men and women who served in the military for our freedom. Each wreath costs $15 and anyone or any group can sponsor any number. For the wreaths sponsored, the organization will donate added ones. Oakland Cemetery and Odd Fellow had the most, if I understand correctly.

I think it would be fantastic for the Grimes County VFW Post 4006 if we could at least honor the men who signed the loan note for the post years ago. As I have said before, there are several at Salem. Unfortunately, I was not able to sponsor enough to reach the count, but we can sure work on that.

Please continue to keep our sick and homebound friends on your prayer list. These friends include Leon Gorney, Sue Kolojaco, Mary Bauer, Rosa Finke, Jack Rimes, Marilyn Frenzel, Lois Bell, Jean Fleischhauer, Margaret Schultz, Lynette Frenzel, Delores Mitschke, Glenn Binder, Laura Pursley, Butch Fields, Margaret Finke, Pauline Kaspar, Mary Whatley, Conley Sechelski and Alexander Hanna.

Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Jan. 1 – Brandi White, Ricky & Gloria Clepper, Jeff and Julianna Feldmann; Jan. 2 – Seith Trullinger, Eliza Velasco; Jan. 3 – Mark Bauer, David Kainer, Johnny and Jessica Alvarez; Jan. 5 – Tyler Eppler; Jan. 6 – Cal Bauer. Congratulations to each of you!

Upcoming Calendar Events:

Jan. 1 – VFD BBQ moved to Jan. 8, see below.

Jan. 3 – WHCVFD monthly business meeting, 7 p.m. at the station.

Jan. 6 – WH Community Center quarterly meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 – First Saturday sandwiches, 11 a.m. till sold out.

Don’t forget to call me if you have anything to add to my column. My number is 936-870-5284 or you can email me at imhoff 2home@yahoo.com.