Brownwood’s Daughters of the Republic of Texas plan to celebrate Yuletide a little early this year with a Christmas Wreaths in July poster exhibition that tells stories of Brown County veteran heroes. The opening happy hour exhibit reception will be from 4-6 p.m. Monday, July 15, at the Brownwood Community Library and is free to all.

“We are so pleased to be able to partner with both the Brownwood Public Library and Greenleaf Cemetery to encourage the sale of wreaths for our veterans’ graves. We have already exceeded last years’ numbers, but we would love to meet our goal of 2,000 wreaths this year. It takes our entire community helping. I hope local residents can stop by the library in July to view the posters and learn a little more about our rich veteran history in Brown County,” said Dr. Julie Welker, Welcome W. Chandler chapter president.

“Wreaths represent a circle of life, suggesting endlessness,” explained Mary Lee Bailey Shelton, wreath liaison for the Welcome W. Chandler DRT chapter’s Wreaths Across America efforts. “We don’t want the memories of our veterans to ever end.

“Our hope is that this Christmas we can place a wreath on each headstone of the veterans buried at Greenleaf Cemetery,” she explained. “As the wreaths are placed, the veterans’ names will be said, ensuring that they and their heroic deeds will never be forgotten.”

The 2,000 wreath inspired the DRT to initiate a Christmas in July wreath campaign, Shelton said. “Two thousand wreaths is almost triple the number we’ve been able to lay before, so we thought we should spread the word early.”

Wreaths Across America Day will be held Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m., at Greenleaf Cemetery. Wreaths are $17 each.

The Christmas Wreaths in July exhibition will be on display at the library through July.