Wreaths event to honor fallen Galveston soldier


Andrew Farrant, 17, has been organizing and hosting a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Galveston’s Lakeview Cemetery every Christmas season for the past three years.
On Saturday, Jaxson Briones, 13, will join Farrant and will play taps on his bugle for family members, military members and civilians gathered to place 325 donated wreaths on headstones of fallen service members.
Both young men hail from Houston.
The national day of recognition’s mission is to remember, honor and teach, to ensure that the memory of those who served endures, is something each of them has taken to heart.
Briones heard about the Lakeview event and attended for the first time last year.
“I was very inspired, and I decided I wanted to be a part of it,” he said. “I learned to play taps, and I contacted Andrew. I understand veterans and their sacrifices and what they do for our country.”
Briones has been practicing taps, the mournful bugle call played at military funerals, since December last year, he said. He has played the bugle since he was 3 years old.
“I found the bugle at my great aunt’s house,” he said. “My great-grandfather was in the Navy and played taps for me. I heard it there and then at his funeral.”
Also performing at the ceremony will be an ensemble of singers from Fanfare, the Lutheran Music Academy of Galveston’s children’s choir, singing the national anthem.
Farrant was initially inspired by a school trip to Washington D.C. in 2016, when he was selected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
“I was very struck by the experience and decided to see what I could do in my community in support of our service members,” Farrant said.
He learned about Wreaths Across America, a national volunteer effort to lay wreaths on military graves every year in December, and decided to host an event in Galveston.
Farrant’s mother graduated from O’Connell High School and his family spends weekends and summers at their home on Offatts Bayou, he said.
“My involvement with Galveston and knowing about how Galveston can and does come together as a community to help its veterans made me want to host the event there,” he said.
This year, seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed by representatives from each branch of the service and a special tribute will be paid to the family of U.S. Army Sgt. James Gregory “Jamie” Johnston, formerly of Galveston, who was killed in action in June while serving in Afghanistan.
Johnston’s wife, Krista, and infant daughter, Jamie, born on Veterans Day after her father’s death, will attend the ceremony.
Meghan Billiot, Johnston’s mother and a Galvestonian, will be there too, to honor her son and the sons and daughters of other families.
“To be honest, it’s been a rough year,” Billiot said. “Every week there’s something that forces us to relive the loss. I’m happy my son is being recognized, and I’m looking forward to seeing 2020.”
Farrant traveled to Maine earlier this year to where the wreaths for Wreaths Across America are made and placed Johnston’s dog tags on a tree dedicated to him, Billiot said.
“It’s just amazing that a kid as young as Andrew is that dedicated to this cause,” she said.
All 325 wreaths will be placed by volunteers from charitable, educational and military organizations and businesses in Galveston, Farrant said. The public is invited to attend and pay respects.
Kathryn Eastburn: 409-683-5257; kathryn.eastburn@galvnews.com.