N.Y. members' wreaths honor veterans

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Cadets from the New York Wing’s South Central Group present the colors at Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira.

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Suffolk County Cadet Squadron 10 cadets place wreaths and render honors in Section 14 at Calverton National Cemetery.

Capt. James A. Ridley Sr.
Public Affairs Officer
Long Island Group
New York Wing

NEW YORK – While more than 10,000 homes in the Albany area lacked electricity after one of the worst snow and ice storms in recent history, members of the Albany-based Mid-Eastern Group braved the elements to attend ceremonies at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation.

Adverse conditions were no factor as units throughout the New York Wing participated in the annual tribute to the nation’s veterans. Across the state Civil Air Patrol units raised funds for the wreaths, placed the wreaths on veterans’ memorials and graves, and had their cadet color guards present the colors at ceremonies held simultaneously Dec. 13.

Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, Lakeview Cemetery in Jamestown, St. Matthew’s Cemetery in West Seneca and Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira were the sites of observances as well.

“The wreaths symbolize our honoring those serving and those who have served,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Goldman, South Central Group commander. Echoing that sentiment was 1^st Lt. Doug Justham, public affairs officer for the Jamestown Composite Squadron, who participated in the Lakeview Cemetery ceremony.

“Having this many of our cadets and senior members come out on a Saturday to honor our servicemen and -women, living and dead, meant a tremendous amount to the veterans here today,” Justham said.

Capt. Joe Pizzo, commander of the Long Island Senior Squadron, joined with members of Suffolk County Cadet Squadron 10 to raise funds for and secure 500 wreaths that were placed in both Calverton and Pinelawn national cemeteries on Long Island.

(Lt. Cols. Anita Martin of the Mid-Eastern Group and Charles Jones of the Western New York Group; 1st Lts. Richard Fairchild of the Owego Composite Squadron, Bill McGee of the Long Island Senior Squadron and Doug Justham of the Jamestown Composite Squadron and 2nd Lt. Robert Calviello of Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10 all contributed to this article.)