During Wreaths Across America’s annual wreath laying ceremony at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Saturday, a showcase of visual storytelling and technology aims to sway public opinion into advocacy.
Robert Beverly, commander of the Texas Defense Force, will attend the Dec. 13 ceremony to showcase his use of QR codes and photo-engraved concrete meant to preserve the history and memories of fallen veterans. He ultimately hopes his use of technology and art will sway public opinion and convince the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to adopt his ideas.
“For too long, a gravestone has only been able to show a name, a rank, and a set of dates,” Beverly said in a press release. “But these men and women lived full lives — they laughed, they loved, they fought, and they earned our nation’s gratitude. This program ensures their stories can never be lost to time.”
The QR codes send people to the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial database, which launched in 2019 and stores information about each veteran who received a VA-provided headstone, flat marker, niche cover or medallion. Information about each veteran is derived from public information or provided by friends and family.
During the event, Beverly will show samples of his QR codes and two large concrete plaques depicting scenes from the Vietnam War — one of a helicopter taking off with a wounded soldier and the other showing soldiers peeking out of a trench.
The permanent installations are meant to depict entire stories, he said.
The custom 3-square-inch aluminum QR codes are available through his website for $25, which only covers the manufacturing costs with no profit left over for himself, he said.
“It’s not money for me, it’s a lifelong ambition,” he said.
Robert Beverly stands next to his photo-engraved concrete piece “Trenches,” which depicts Vietnam soldiers poking their heads out of a trench. (Courtesy photo | Robert Beverly)
The event is part of a national veterans commemoration day.
Attendees can arrive as early as 8 a.m. to find parking on Saturday, according to Wreaths Across America’s website. The short ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., and attendees can start laying their wreaths at noon.
Col. LaHavie Brunson, commander of the 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command, will give a speech during the ceremony. Attendees will also witness a flyover from three bomber planes, said Misty Weaver, lead coordinator for the event in Dallas.
In total, attendees will lay over 58,000 wreaths on the cemetery’s graves to honor the veterans who fought for our country’s interests.
“It’s very meaningful to them to know that the memory of their loved one will live on,” Weaver said.
The cemetery will also be open 2-5 p.m. Friday to allow families a more intimate moment to lay their wreath. Families may come and go at their discretion within the allotted time.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended in past years, Weaver said.
Wreaths left during the two days will stay with the gravestones until Jan. 10, when volunteers will collect them. They are then typically recycled, Weaver said.
“I don’t think there’s ever anything that we could do to repay the sacrifice these veterans have made,” Weaver said. “It’s the little things that we can do to help support and show our appreciation for everything they’ve done.”
If you go
What: 2025 Wreaths Across America ceremony and wreath laying
Where: 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas
When:
Family Day: 2-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12
Wreath Laying Day: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 13
Attendees can register here.
John Forbes is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at john.forbes@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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