CAMERON—A crowd gathered a week ago Monday in the Milam County Museum to remember, and honor, the victims of violent crime in the city.
Sponsored by the Milam County/District Attorney’s Office, it was the 21st annual observance and was attended by relatives and friends of victims along with many county officials.
The “Tree of Angels” program is celebrated each year across Texas and enables survivors of violent crime and victims’ families to place an angel ornament on a special Christmas tree in support of or in memory of their loved one.
This tradition was started in 1991 in hopes that the blessings of the holiday season would comfort the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Members of the armed services were also remembered and honored. All military families were invited to attend and place an angel on the tree in honor of or in remembrance of their loved one.
Participants are asked to bring an angel ornament tagged with the first and last name of the person remembered or honored.
Those on the program included:
• Pledge of Alliance and posting of the colors by members of the American Legion.
• Invocation—Mike Kovar, Harvest Bible Church, Rock-dale.
•Introduction—Milam County Judge Steve Young.
• Welcome—20th District Judge John Youngblood.
• Reading of names of lost U. S. Armed Services members—Members of the American Legion.
• Special music—Pastor Abraham Lopez, New Vision Family Worship and Pastor Basilio Montez, Holy Ground Baptist Church.
• Speaker—David Henderson, Director of Student Ministries, Meadow Baptist Church, Cameron.
• Poem “Don’t Quit,” author unknown, read by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sam Berry.
• Special Music—“Precious Memories,” Johnny Mekush.
• Dedication and placement of the angels—Joseph P. Johnson, Milam County Assistant District Attorney.
• Special Music and Moment of Silence.
• Closing Prayer—Pastor Faye Johnson, Cameron Grove Baptist Church.
• “Silent Night”—All in attendance.
• Special music throughout the evening by Nancy Malcolm.
Special music was offered throughout the evening by Nancy Malcolm.
Organizers expressed special appreciation for support to the following:
Arlan’s, Amy’s Cakes, Anderle Lumber Company, Brookshire Bros. of Cameron.
Brookshire Bros. of Rock-dale, Budget Inn & Host Suites, Cameron Autoplex, Cameron Farm & Ranch, Cameron Herald, Cameron Chamber of Commerce, Cameron Sonic, Cameron Yoe NHS.
CarQuest, Charles King, Circle S Barbecue, Dairy Queen-Cameron, Domino’s Pizza-Cameron.
Ginno’s Italian Restaurant, Glass the Florist, Hecho in Texas, Ideal Poultry, KT Cleaners, Golden Chick, Landmark Missionary Baptist, Lee’s Landing, Little River Materials.
Lone Star Guns, McDonald’s-Rockdale, Mt. Zion Baptist Church-Cameron, New Beginnings-Cameron, Pizza Hut-Rockdale, Pizza Hut, Cameron, Rattler’s-Cameron.
The Rockdale Reporter, Rockin’ R Bail Bonds, Royalty Pecans, Sissy’s Saddle Shop & Cafe, Standards of Care, Subway-Cameron and Rockdale.
Sweet Designs, The Bling Box, The Milam County Museum., Thweatt Realty, Trinity New Life Worship Center, Walmart-Rockdale.
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