Every November, our nation pauses to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a day of deep reflection, gratitude, and recommitment to the principles that make America strong.
Here in Bastrop County, we are blessed to be part of a community that truly values service. From the veterans who continue to lead in business and civic life, to the families who supported them through long deployments and uncertain nights, our community is filled with examples of quiet courage and enduring sacrifice. We owe them more than words, we owe them our respect, our participation, and our continued promise to preserve the freedoms they fought to protect.
One of the greatest ways we can honor that sacrifice is by exercising the right they defended: the right to vote. Voting is not just a privilege, it’s a responsibility. It’s our voice in shaping the future of our communities, our state, and our nation. Every ballot cast is a living tribute to the freedoms secured by those who stood on foreign soil, often far from home, believing that liberty and democracy were worth the risk. Personally, it was disappointing at the rate of voter turnout on November 4th but that is a topic for another article.
Here in Bastrop, we don’t just honor our veterans in words, we celebrate them in action and community spirit. Our annual Veterans Day Car Show, hosted in historic downtown Bastrop, brings together families, car enthusiasts, and veterans alike. It’s a day filled with pride, nostalgia, and connection as the rumble of engines and the sound of laughter fill the streets. It’s a uniquely Bastrop way to say “Thank You” to those who served, celebrating freedom, craftsmanship, and community all in one.
And then there’s the Red, White & Blue Banquet, one of my favorite community traditions. Each year, we gather to honor our local heroes, those who have served and those who continue to serve in our armed
forces. It’s a night of heartfelt stories, patriotic pride, and well-deserved recognition. The banquet reminds us that being American isn’t just about shared history. It’s about shared responsibility and gratitude.
New this year, the CommUnity Dinner, hosted by the City of Bastrop, brought even more reason to celebrate. This sold-out event gathered neighbors, friends, and families under one roof at the Bastrop Convention Center, to share a meal, meaningful conversation and fun activities provided by our community banking partners. It was a beautiful reflection of what makes Bastrop special, people coming together in unity, compassion, and pride for the place we call HOME.
Being an American is about more than living within our borders; it’s about living with purpose. It means showing up for each other, for our country, and for the ideals that unite us. It’s about recognizing that freedom is fragile, that democracy is participatory, and that service, whether in uniform, in public office, or through volunteerism. It is at the core of what makes our nation an exceptional place to live and make dreams come true.
At the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to stand alongside our veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. Their leadership continues to inspire the work we do every day. We are also proud to stand up for businesses. It is the core of what we do - advocating, fostering community, and ensuring Bastrop County remains a place of opportunity and pride in our community.
These celebrations: the Car Show, the Red, White & Blue Banquet, and now the CommUnity Dinner, are shining examples of Bastrop’s heart. They remind us that when we come together in gratitude, respect, and service, we strengthen not only our bonds as neighbors but the very fabric of our community.
As you go about your month, take a moment to thank a veteran. Attend a local ceremony. Fly your flag proudly. And most importantly, never take for granted
the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Because behind each one of those freedoms stands a man or woman who raised their right hand and swore an oath to defend them.
From all of us at the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce - thank you to our veterans. You remind us daily of what courage looks like and why it matters. God bless our veterans, God bless Bastrop, and God bless America.
The mission of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is “To improve business prosperity and, thereby, the
quality of life in Bastrop County, through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration.” Currently, the Chamber serves a membership of nearly 800 members throughout Bastrop County and Central Texas and is consistently ranked in the Top 5 Largest Chambers by the Austin Business Journal. To learn more and/or join the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, please visit us at 927 Main Street M-F from 8am – 4pm or Friday from 8am – noon. We are happy to assist you in getting plugged into the community.
Sincerely,
Becki Womble, CCE, IOM President/CEO
Each December, across the country, a quiet but powerful movement takes place—one that transforms cemeteries into breathtaking landscapes of remembrance. Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a national nonprofit organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at veterans’ cemeteries and memorials to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their mission is simple yet profound: Remember. Honor. Teach. Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
How It All Began
The tradition began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine, found himself with a surplus of holiday wreaths. Remembering a childhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery, Worcester decided to donate the extra wreaths to honor America’s veterans resting there. That simple gesture of gratitude sparked a movement that grew beyond imagination.
For more than a decade, Worcester and a small group of volunteers quietly continued the tribute each December. But in 2005, a photo of snow-covered wreaths
placed at Arlington went viral, inspiring thousands nationwide. What began with 5,000 wreaths at one cemetery has now become a national tradition, reaching over 3,700 locations across the country and even beyond U.S. borders.
The Meaning Within Each Wreath
At the Veterans and Military Appreciation Luncheon, hosted by the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, attendees watched a touching video from Wreaths Across America featuring Myles Worcester, grandson of founder Morrill Worcester. As the young boy described the process of making a veteran’s wreath, his voice reminded everyone that each part of the wreath has a special and sacred meaning.
Each wreath is made of ten bouquets, and each bouquet represents a part of the veteran — together forming the wreath that symbolizes the veter-
an as a whole.
The first bouquet stands for the veteran’s belief in the greater good.
The second bouquet represents their love for one another, the camaraderie and compassion shared among those who serve.
The third bouquet stands for their strength, work ethic, and character.
The fourth bouquet represents honesty and integrity, the foundation upon which they lived and served.
The fifth bouquet stands for humility, selflessness, modesty, and the quiet strength of those who give without seeking recognition.
The sixth bouquet represents the veteran’s ambitions, aspirations, and their drive to achieve and to better themselves and their country.
The seventh bouquet stands for optimism, the veteran’s faith in their
fellow Americans and in the future of our nation.
The eighth bouquet represents concern for the future and for generations yet to come.
The ninth bouquet stands for pride, the pride each veteran takes in carrying out their duties with honor.
The tenth bouquet stands for the veteran’s hopes and dreams — those that may not have all come true, but were pursued with courage and left behind with no regrets.
Once assembled, the wreath as a whole stands for honor, respect, and victory.
Its materials also carry deep symbolism:
The evergreen branches represent longevity and endurance, a life and legacy that live on.
The circular shape of the wreath symbolizes eternity, having no beginning and no end.
Its clean forest scent symbolizes purity and simplicity.
The red bow represents the great sacrifice made by our nation’s heroes. The video, narrated by Myles, beautifully captured the meaning woven into every wreath, a reminder that these tributes are not just holiday decorations, but symbols of gratitude,
love, and remembrance.
Bastrop County’s Role in the Mission
For Bastrop County, supporting Wreaths Across America is more than an act of donation—it’s a promise. Each wreath placed on a veteran’s grave serves as a personal tribute, ensuring that every name is spoken aloud and every legacy remembered. When our community contributes to WAA, we join thousands of Americans in a national moment of unity and gratitude. Whether sponsoring a wreath, volunteering at the Fairview Cemetery ceremony, or spreading awareness, the people of Bastrop County play a vital role in preserving this tradition of honor. At this year’s luncheon, as the video ended and the young voice faded, the message was clear: every wreath tells a story of service, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of America’s heroes. On December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., volunteers will join Wreaths Across America to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the estimated 775 graves of our country’s heroes. Please help us honor and remember as many of these heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.
tions about the cost of freedom.
Through the continued generosity and patriotism of Bastrop County, this mission thrives. Together, we ensure that no hero is ever forgotten and that every wreath placed carries the weight of love, gratitude, and respect.
As we reflect on this powerful tradition, let us remember the three guiding words of Wreaths Across America: Remember. Honor. Teach.
Freedom isn’t free, and remembrance is how we say thank you.
Honor our veterans by supporting Wreaths Across America. Your donation helps ensure every veteran is remembered. Simply scan or click the QR code below to contribute.
A Lasting Legacy
The mission of Wreaths Across America is not limited to a single day in December. It’s a call to action throughout the year, to remember our veterans, honor those who serve, and teach future genera-
