Local woman creates custom wreaths for fallen SA first responders

Gracie Castillo honoring families of SAPD Miguel Moreno, SAFD Scott Deem

SAN ANTONIO – In a small shack behind her home, Gracie Castillo has been making custom wreaths for more than five years.

Even though she's sold more than a thousand wreaths for different occasions, nothing could have prepared her for the moment two months ago when a member of the San Antonio Fire Department called her, requesting a special wreath for one of their own.

“I got the wreath together, put it together and I then I started to see the story on TV about what had actually happened to Scott Deem and when I started to see that, there was no way I was going to charge for this wreath,” said Castillo, owner of GC Custom Wreaths and More.

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“I mean, there’s just no price for the price he (Deem) paid. I went ahead and told her that if they had already made a collection, to give it back and to put that money towards that fundraiser that they were having for his family,” Castillo said. 

Beautiful tribute!!

Posted by GC Custom Wreaths & More on Friday, May 26, 2017

The wreath was placed in front of Deem’s casket in his honor and later given to the Deem family.

Almost one month later and just blocks away from Castillo’s work, another tragedy struck a San Antonio first responder.

“I kept hearing sirens go by the office and I knew something serious had happened but didn’t know exactly what was going on.”

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San Antonio Police Officers Miguel Moreno and Julio Cavazos were shot on duty while investigating car burglaries near downtown last Thursday.

Moreno died from his wounds and Cavazos was released from San Antonio Military Medical Center Tuesday but is still recovering from his gunshot wound he sustained on his chin. 

“So, the next day on Friday when I heard he had passed on 11:11 a.m., then that same evening I came home and I started to put that wreath together.” 

I am humbled to put this wreath together in honor of SAPD Officer Miguel Moreno. His selfless contribution and the...

Posted by GC Custom Wreaths & More on Monday, July 3, 2017

“Because although I don’t know him, it’s just something about who he was that really left an impact on me. And you are always going to have that wreath there to remind you of the person that he was.”

Castillo said she created her first wreath for her daughter’s baby shower and since then, others have taken notice of her artwork requesting the custom item almost every day.

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Creating wreaths is not only a lifelong passion for her; Castillo said it’s also therapeutic after losing her mother three years ago and then her brother just last year. 

With her mother by her side watching every wreath she makes, Castillo said she hopes it is the little things like her wreaths that not only help the fallen first responders’ families but also give them the honor they deserve.

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