SAN ANTONIO -- A San Antonio woman whose husband is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is taking on a huge mission.
Judy Carlile is determined to raise enough money to place a wreath on every grave at the cemetery during the holidays.
It's an honor she feels every veteran laid to rest there deserves.
There isn't a day that goes by for Judy that isn't filled with thoughts of her husband Jim. Jim died in the Summer of 2008 from Alzheimer's. The Air Force veteran is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
"The day we lost Jim, God needed the most precious angel he had, and I had to let him go," Judy told News 4 WOAI.
But Judy found a new way to show her deep love and devotion to her husband and to the others buried at Fort Sam Houston.
"Just if everyone in San Antonio bought just one wreath, we could place a wreath on every headstone at Fort Sam Cemetery," explained Judy. "It would be incredible. Absolutely wonderful."
Judy has taken over a non-profit program called Wreaths Across America. The program is an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project started back in 1992.
The program was started originally to buy wreaths for those buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
But the goal of the program now is to give the same honor to those at national and state cemeteries all across America. So Judy now carries flyers with her everywhere to educate people about the project with the goal of raising money for wreaths.
"I just hope that what we have been able to do so far, that each one of the families knows it's not just to honor my husband, but yours as well," Judy added. "Your mom, dad, sister, brother. We owe these heroes a lot."
It's an endless commitment. About 3800 hundred graves a year are added at Fort Sam Houston. But it's a commitment that runs as deep for Judy as her love does for her husband.
"I don't know if we are going to accomplish that this year. My ultimate goal...," said Judy. "If not this year, then I definitely would love to see next year. We just need the support from everyone that has a loved one here and everyone that is supportive of the military."
If you would like to help Judy put a wreath on every grave at Fort Sam Houston,
CLICK HERE.
The ceremony will take place on December 12 at 11:00 a.m., simultaneously with other state and national cemeteries across the country.
