Our Veterans Appreciation Month “Thanks a Million” campaign was an overwhelming success, with nearly 100 percent squadron participation in this Wreaths Across America project. Thank you for helping to ensure America’s veterans were honored nationwide through this initiative.

We are now ready for the next phase of our yearlong Wreaths Across America activities, which is one of the most important parts of the program – the selling and placing of wreaths in our nation’s cemeteries. It is your opportunity to again honor veterans in your community and, in the process, help raise funds for your squadron.

Whether you are an experienced Wreaths Across America participant or a squadron new to this project, you will welcome the Quick Start Pamphlet designed to make this project extremely easy to implement. Included are an overview of the program, answers to frequently asked questions, a sample location ceremony, a copy of the various forms you will need and a checklist to help keep you on track.

Our goal this year is 100 percent participation in Wreaths Across America, and thanks to this pamphlet, that goal should be easily attainable for everyone.  I wish each of you all the best in promoting this program, not only on behalf of our nation’s veterans but also as a way to benefit your squadron’s other priorities.

Best Regards,

Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter
CAP National Commander
 

• Missoula, Mont. (missoulian.com)
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• Camp Ripley, Minn. (sctimes.com)

More than 100,000 wreaths have been placed on Arlington gravestones since the project began 17 years ago. This year, the Worcesters, the USO, Wal-Mart and other corporate sponsors donated 16,000 wreaths for the Arlington ceremonies. Started as the Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Project in 1992 before becoming Wreaths Across America four years ago, the initiative is now a tradition for Worcester and her husband, Morrill, owners of Worcester Wreath Co. and co-founders of Wreaths Across America.

Elsewhere Saturday, another 145,000 wreaths were placed after simultaneous Wreaths Across America ceremonies at 405 state and national cemeteries and memorials nationwide and 24 other cemeteries and memorials on foreign soil.

“Wreaths Across America has truly become a national phenomenon,” said the initiative’s national spokesman, Tobin Slaven.

Partners like Civil Air Patrol, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., and other veterans’ groups that participate are “a driving force behind the growth,” Slaven said, “not to mention the tens of thousands of private citizens who sponsor wreaths for ceremonies at Arlington and the hundreds of other ceremonies across America each year.”

Participating in Wreaths Across America has also become a holiday tradition for CAP's 58,000 members. “Laying the wreaths is an honor to our veterans, a service to our communities and a learning experience for our members,” said CAP's national commander, Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter.

Civil Air Patrol squadrons led almost half of the more than 425 Wreaths Across America observances this year and participated with other color and honor guards at many additional locations. CAP cadets and officers placed many of the wreaths at Arlington as well.

The Wreaths Across America ceremonies on the hallowed grounds of Arlington began early, as usual, as a CAP honor guard assembled at the cemetery’s entrance at 5:30 a.m. At 7:15 a.m., the honor guard cadets welcomed a convoy of tractor-trailers from Worcester Wreath escorted by motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders.

After the convoy arrived, the ceremonies at Arlington commenced, starting with a wreath-laying at 8 a.m. at the Civil Air Patrol Memorial. Courter, accompanied by the honor guard, placed a wreath at the memorial, which honors the memory of the hundreds of thousands of CAP volunteers who have served as members of the U.S. Air Force auxiliary.

At 8:30 a.m., Courter joined the Worcesters and other dignitaries from CAP, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Maine State Society, the Gold Star Mothers, the American Legion and other groups for a national Wreaths Across America ceremony and moment of remembrance at the McClellan Arch near the entrance of Arlington.

By 9 a.m., Wreaths Across America volunteers began placing wreaths in Sections 2, 9, 31, 32 and 37 of the cemetery while USO volunteers placed another 1,000 wreaths in Section 60. At the same time, participants around the nation held similar events, marking veterans’ gravesites and monuments with the remembrance wreaths.

Before the day was over, other wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington were held at the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial in Section 46 and at the Tomb of the Unknowns near the center of the cemetery.

The Arlington observances concluded at 1 p.m. with the CAP honor guard and Courter laying a wreath at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Afterward, Courter hosted a distinguished visitors’ reception in the memorial's Hall of Honor.

A video of the day's events at Arlington, posted by the National Capital Wing's director of public affairs, Maj. Paul Cianciolo, can be viewed online (scroll down to "Video from Arlington").

 

  
Steve Cox
Public Affairs Manager
Kristi Carr
Staff Writer
National Headquarters

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS -- While Wreaths Across America observations were being held at state capitols across the nation Tuesday,  special attention was given — and received — at the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, overlooking the Washington Mall.

There a wreath was placed and guarded for four hours by the Civil Air Patrol’s Middle East Region Honor Guard, under the command of Lt. Col. Patricia Gaylin, the region’s cadet activities officer.

U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Mark Weston traveled specifically from the Pentagon to the Capitol to help place the wreath there.

The pomp and circumstance drew a crowd as many Capitol employees came to pay their respects to the message the wreath signified: Remember the sacrifice of veterans. Lt. Col. Jett Mayhew of CAP National Headquarters, who helped plan the event, said many could be overheard sharing their stories, which usually started, “My grandfather (or my father) served….”

Many tourists — including several from countries such as Spain, Italy, France and Japan — also appeared, hoping to capture this slice of American life with their cameras.

The ceremony at the Capitol was one of several national Wreaths Across America observances held over the past few days, beginning with a new event — the HART (Honoring Allies and Remembering Together) ceremony at the U.S.-Canadian border Sunday.

The HART observance honored the service and sacrifice of military veterans from the U.S. and Canada. A centerpiece of the ceremony was a wreath exchange on Ferry Point Bridge, which spans the St. Croix River and connects Calais, Maine, with St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

“Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. Worcester and her husband, Morrill, are the owners of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, and the founders of Wreaths Across America.

The HART ceremony was organized to recognize all veterans, including young men and women from Canada who are serving or served in the U.S. military. Participants included America’s Gold Star Mothers, Civil Air Patrol, Cadets Canada of the Department of National Defense and dignitaries representing both nations.

After a parade, CAP cadets escorted the Gold Star Mothers to the center of the bridge, where they were met by the Air Cadets of Canada Band, which performed both countries’ national anthems. Following a round of speeches, the Gold Star Mothers presented a wreath to the Canadian cadets to be placed nearby at the war memorial in St. Stephen.

After Gold Star Mother Kathryn T. Cross read a poem, a moment of silence was held to remember and honor those who served.

“It was a great way to recognize and remember all young men and women from Canada who are serving or served in the U.S. military and to teach our younger generation about the sacrifices these individuals make for our freedom,” said Col. Dan Leclair, commander of the Maine Wing , which is actively involved with Wreaths Across America. “It was an afternoon all of us will remember.”
 
The silence was soon broken by taps, played by a member of the Air Cadets of Canada band.

The ceremony, the first of what is hoped to be an annual observance, opened a full week of activity for Wreaths Across America, which provides remembrance wreaths for wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 400 veterans cemeteries and memorials nationwide and 24 other national cemeteries abroad. In all, more than 150,000 wreaths will be placed this year.

Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which began in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co.

Karen Worcester recalled the project’s genesis when, as a boy, her husband first saw the rows upon rows of white markers at Arlington. “How very important this is to bring together a new generation of young people so they will visit and honor the veterans’ final resting place,” she said.

This year’s national Wreaths Across America observance at Arlington is set for Dec. 12 and will feature 16,000 wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath., Wal-Mart, the USO and other corporate sponsors. The wreaths are being transported in seven tractor-trailers on a 750-mile journey from Harrington, Maine, after a sendoff ceremony Monday and will arrive at Arlington about 7:15 a.m. Dec. 12, in time for the national Wreaths Across America ceremony and moment of remembrance.

The route to Arlington is one the longest annual veterans’ celebrations as patriotic Americans, veterans groups and other local organizations show their support for the project with parades and ceremonies at more than 20 stops along the way. Motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization of more than 65,000 whose primary mission is to attend the funerals of fallen heroes nationwide, is accompanying the trucks to Arlington.
 
The national Wreaths Across America ceremony and moment of remembrance are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. EST at the McClellan Arch, near the cemetery entrance. At the same time, other Wreaths Across America observances will be held simultaneously at veterans’ cemeteries and memorials throughout the U.S. 

Follow the progress of the wreaths from Maine to Arlington with live feeds from Twitter. Visit the Wreaths Across America Web site for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations. 

Col. Dan Leclair, Maine Wing commander; Capt. Grace Stapf, professional development officer of the Maryland Wing’s Mount Airy Composite Squadron; and 1st Lt. Mary Story, Maine Wing public affairs officer, all contributed to this story.
 

For three years, Civil Air Patrol has been a major partner in Wreaths Across America ceremonies nationwide and at Arlington National Cemetery.

For more information

• Civil Air Patrol's Wreaths Across America information

(Top)

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

(Bottom)

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.)

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Brad Berry pauses to honor a fallen veteran.

Maj. Debbie M. Boggs

Public Affairs Officer

Charleston Cadet Squadron

West Virginia Wing

WEST VIRGINIA – Charleston Cadet Squadron’s initial participation in the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation went off without a flaw on a frosty but brilliantly sunny morning Dec. 13 at Spring HillCemetery Park.

After a ceremony in which wreaths were placed in honor of the five branches of the service – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine – and prisoners of war and those missing in action, volunteers placed about 150 wreaths on veterans’ graves at the American Legion Field. For every two wreaths that local residents had sponsored, Civil Air Patrol donated a third.

The ceremony was a cooperative effort by Civil Air Patrol, the city of Charleston, Spring Hill CemeteryPark, the Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders Post 73, American Legion Post 20, the Alum Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and several other local veterans’ groups. 

Maj. Debbie Boggs, the Charleston squadron's public affairs officer, said the unit began exploring the idea of participating in Wreaths Across America after its information technologies officer, 2nd Lt. Charles Case, “learned of the project in Richmond, Va., and brought the idea back to Charleston.”

 “He has been working on this since last spring, but a lot of volunteers contacted us right up until the last minute offering to help, which was great,” Boggs said. “The first time you do something, you need all the help you can get.”

Dignitaries on hand included Mayor Danny Jones, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, and Richard Andre, chairman of the Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission.  South Charleston High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard posted the colors, veteran Mary Palla sang the national anthem, Alum Creek VFW performed the firing of arms and Air Force Lt. Col. Dale Olson performed taps.

The Worcester Cadet Squadron contingent at Hope Cemetery -- (from left) 1st Lt. Douglas Winchester; personnel officer; Maj. Joseph Zwirblia, commander; Cadet Airman 1st Class Hai Dinh; Cadet Airman Tim Jerome; 1st  Lt. David Pietrowcz, logistic, safety and transportation officer; and 2nd Lt. Jennifer DiPilato, assistant communications and safety officer.

Maj. Joseph Zwirblia
Commander
Worcester Cadet Squadron
Massachusetts Wing

MASSACHUSETTS – After organizing the first Wreaths Across America observation this year at Hope Cemetery, Worcester Cadet Squadron members pressed on with the ceremony Dec. 13 despite a grueling ice storm just days earlier that paralyzed parts of the Northeast and hit Worcester and surrounding towns especially hard.

Many members of the public were on hand to assist squadron members in placing 150 wreaths on veterans' graves, even though the storms had left tens of thousands without power and caused extensive tree damage.

1st Lt. Jon Domke

Public Affairs Officer

Sierra Composite Squadron 72
California Wing

CALIFORNIA – Sierra Composite Squadron 72 members participated in the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation Dec. 13, providing the honor guard at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery while seven ceremonial wreaths were placed to remember those who served.

Specially made wreaths for veterans of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, as well as in remembrance for prisoners of war and those missing in action, were placed on memorials during the ceremony, which was coordinated simultaneously at more than 350 participating locations across the U.S. and around the world.

Cadets from the Sierra squadron also joined with members of several civic groups to place more than 200 wreaths on veterans’ graves.

St. Cloud Composite Squadron members prepare to lay wreathes during the Wreaths Across America observation at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Photo by Capt. Richard J. Sprouse
 

Capt. Richard J. Sprouse

Public Affairs Officer

Group 2

Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- Several veterans' organizations, the Minnesota Patriot Guard and members of the Crow Wing and St. Cloud composite squadrons participated Dec. 13 in Wreaths Across America at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, near Camp Ripley.

The central Minnesota squadrons were proud to be part of the event, said 1st Lt. George Ramler of the St. Cloud squadron

"There are a significant amount of veterans in central Minnesota and we want to honor them," Ramler said. "We also want our cadets to learn the value of freedom and honor those who have fought to preserve our way of life." About 40,000 veterans live within 75 miles of the cemetery.

A particularly poignant moment occurred when one of the nearly 245 wreaths was placed at the grave of Sgt. Jacob Pfingsten, a Crow Wing squadron member who died in 2005 while serving with the U.S. Army in Germany.

"Jake was a great young man. He had a positive attitude and was always smiling. He was a great role model for the cadets in the squadron," said Lt. Col. Bob Johnson of the Crow Wing unit.

Pfingsten's parents, Capts. Tom and Beth Pfingsten, and sister, Cadet 2nd Lt. Sarah Pfingsten, are active members of the unit.

The 243 wreaths placed Dec. 13 represented about a 3,400 percent increase over the seven laid at the cemetery last year. The Minnesota Patriot Guard provided 75 wreaths, with another 168 coming from Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadron sponsors.

Even so, Ramler hopes the effort will be even more successful next year.

"It's a big increase from last year and a great incentive to do even better in 2009. It's the very least we can do to honor our veterans."

The 37-acre Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery was opened in 1994 and is the resting place to 3,000 veterans and eligible family members. In all, 334 burials were conducted there during the past fiscal year, a 17 percent increase from the previous year.

Cadet Airman Andrew Moss of the Charleston Cadet Squadron and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager look on as West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III places a wreath paying tribute to American veterans at a memorial in the Capitol.

Photo by Steven Wayne Rotsch

Maj. Debbie Boggs

Public Affairs Officer

Charleston Cadet Squadron

West Virginia Wing

WESTVIRGINIA -- The Charleston Cadet Squadron conducted a wreath-laying ceremony Dec. 11 in the Capitol’s Lower Rotunda in anticipation of the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation held two days later to honor the nation’s veterans

Gov. Joe Manchin III, along with his special guest, aviation legend Chuck Yeager, and Cadet Airman Andrew Moss of the Charleston squadron, presented a wreath to honor veterans from all branches of the military. 

Manchin made brief remarks in support of U.S. military men and women and their families for the sacrifices they have made. He noted West Virginia’s rich heritage and patriotism, adding that the state has sacrificed more than most states for the nation’s freedom.

The governor also thanked Civil Air Patrol members for their service to the state and nation. 

Yeager, a retired Air Force brigadier general, was greeted by a standing ovation. He shared a bit of his personal history and also expressed thanks to CAP for its service to the country 1941. He encouraged citizens to continue to support our military men and women. 

The purpose of this event was to raise public awareness of and kick off the Wreaths Across America ceremonies held Dec. 13. Observances were held in West Virginia at Beckley American Legion Cemetery, West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton National Cemetery and Spring Hill Cemetery Park in Charleston. Five West Virginia squadrons – the Morgantown, Clarksburg, Beckley and Mercer composite squadrons and the Charleston Cadet and Squadron – provided support.

A Thunderbird Composite Squadron cadet lays a tombstone at a veteran's grave at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Chaplain (Capt.) Ben D. Craver

Public Affairs Officer

Thunderbird Squadron

New Mexico Wing

NEW MEXICO — Under the patchy clouds of a cold New Mexico sky, Thunderbird Composite Squadron cadets felt their hearts warm as they participated in the nationwide Wreaths Across America tribute to veterans.

Braving the threat of an approaching winter storm, the cadets paused at 10 a.m. local time as the formal ceremony began in conjunction with the keynote Wreaths Across America observation at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., two time zones ways. Joining other CAP squadrons across the nation in a rapidly growing U.S. holiday tradition, they later placed wreaths on the headstones of hundreds of New Mexico veterans lying at rest in SantaFe National Cemetery.

Capt. Pete Manos, Capital Composite Squadron commander, organized the Santa Fe ceremony. Col. Richard F. Himebrook, wing commander, laid a special wreath in honor of New Mexico veterans of the U.S. Air Force.

The solemnities included taps and a 21-gun salute to the state’s veterans. Afterward, Thunderbird squadron members joined others in adorning the gravesites with fresh evergreen wreaths with red bows. Cadets offered a final salute to every veteran.

One problem was painfully obvious: There were not enough wreaths for every headstone. On the way home to Albuquerque, cadets were unanimous in affirming that they would be back in 2009 … and that they will have more money for more wreaths.

Author Craig Burgess and Col. Robert McCabe, New Jersey Wing commander, pay their respects at Medal of Honor recipient Edward Benfold’s gravesite after Wreaths Across America ceremonies at Beverly National Cemetery.

1st Lt. Mark Swanson

Public Affairs Officer

New Jersey Wing

NEW JERSEY -- Among the many thousands of wreaths laid by Civil Air Patrol volunteers on Dec. 13 as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation was one for a veteran who very recently has become important to New Jersey Wing members -- Edward C. Benfold, buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly

.

For the first time this year, Benfold’s gravesite received special honors from CAP members, who recently learned the Medal of Honor recipient had been a New Jersey Wing cadet in 1948-49. Benfold was a member of the Camden Cadet Squadron for two years, according to a newspaper clipping that recently surfaced.

Benfold’s biographer, Craig Burgess, author of "The Green Wave and the Navy: The History of the USS Benfold," was a featured speaker at the Wreaths Across America ceremonies at the Beverly cemetery. Benfold and Burgess are both natives of Audubon, a small Camden County town that can claim no less than three Medal of Honor recipients – World War I Army Cpl. Nelson Brittin, Korean War Army Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Sampler and Benfold.

Burgess, joined by the New Jersey Wing’s commander, Col. Robert McCabe, paid tribute to Benfold at his gravesite.

Benfold was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War as hospital corpsman third class in the Navy. He was killed in action at age 21 while serving in the 1st Marine Division.

He had entered the Navy in 1950, just months after leaving CAP and graduating from Audubon High School.

While wing members have not been able to unearth any records for Benfold, the newspaper clipping -- a photo identifying the future hero undergoing mobile radio unit training with three other Camden Cadet Squadron members -- unmistakably links him to membership in CAP in 1948-49, Burgess said.

McCabe said he was especially pleased the wing has been able to make the link with Benfold and his history.

“Not many wings can claim Medal of Honor recipients as CAP members,” the wing commander said. “We are honored by his sacrifice, and I’d like to think that the CAP cadet program helped to prepare him for his Navy service.”

Besides placing a wreath on the Benfold grave as part of the Wreaths Across America commemoration, members of the Jack Schweiker Composite Squadron paid their own tribute. The squadron, based in Cherry Hill, is believed to be the closest unit to the one Benfold belonged to, and members placed their own wreath on the grave with a salute.

A wreath placed as part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 13 at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery marks the grave of Altamont A. Frierson Sr., 1824-1877, a sergeant with Company B of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry during the Civil War.

Maj. Robert Benton

Commander

131st Johnson County Composite Squadron

Texas Wing

TEXAS – Twenty participants from the 131st Johnson County Composite Squadron, American Legion Post 50 and the Patriot Guard Riders paid tribute at the graves of veterans of conflict from the Civil War to the present day during a Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 13 at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery.

At 11 a.m. local time, as the wreath-laying ceremony began at Arlington National Cemetery in the nation’s capital, the Johnson County squadron’s color guard -- led by Cadet Airman 1st Class Ghenesis Cordero with Cadet Airman 1st Class Richard Donahoo and Cadet Airmen Collin Crosier and Joseph Gould -- marched along the cemetery’s main thoroughfare to the Cleburne Military Memorial Garden. The cadets were accompanied by a Patriot Guard Riders procession of nine motorcycles led by Wendi Ingersoll, ride captain.

At the memorial garden the participants gathered as Jerry Bailey, American Legion District 6 chaplain, gave an invocation. The Civil Air Patrol squadron’s commander, Maj. Robert Benton, and Ingersoll gave opening comments honoring the veterans at rest beneath the hollowed soil of the site.

Also present was Joel Franklin, Cleburne American Legion Post 50 commander, whose post was an active participant with the Johnson County squadron to secure wreath sponsorships for this years’ ceremony.    

In the background, nine Patriot Guard Riders members -- Mark Ingersoll, assistant ride captain, and John Blaze, Walter Gill, David Gonzaloz, Bill Mayo, Charley Money Jr., Gail and George Raglin, and Bill Sneed – bore U.S. flags.

Following the opening comments the participants were paired up, with each team member placing a wreath on a veteran’s headstone, then taking a moment to remember him. The Johnson County squadron’s 2nd Lts. Donald Henry and Robert Streiferd, Sr. Mbr. Brady Rusk and Cadet Airman Basic Marysa Johnston joined in and helped lay wreaths.

The City of Cleburne Cemetery has been the final resting place for Johnson County veterans since the mid-19th century.  

The Patriot Guard Riders is a national organization of motorcycle riders, many of them veterans, who pay tribute to fallen military personnel past and present and promote patriotism during public ceremonies and events.

North Carolina Wing cadets place a wreath at a Salisbury National Cemetery monument honoring past and present members of the five branches of the U.S. military -- the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.

Maj. James P. Williams

Public Affairs Officer

North Carolina Wing

NORTH CAROLINA – The frost lay heavy on the grass and across the grave markers as Dec. 13 dawned over historic Salisbury NationalCemetery. The sun was soon shining brightly, though, and while temperatures remained crisp, the frost was gone by the time the Wreaths Across America participants began to arrive at 10 a.m.

They came from South Carolina, Waxhaw, Charlotte, Boone, Fort Bragg and Rowan County. They came to pay homage and remember the fallen, the prisoners of war and the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving in the armed services.  

Soon the countdown to noon began -- 15 seconds … five seconds – in a process echoed across the nation in conjunction with the Wreaths Across America observation at ArlingtonNational Cemetery. The stroke of noon gave way to a minute of silence to remember the fallen heroes and those now protecting the nation and its freedom.

Afterward, 12 Civil Air Patrol cadets in blue uniforms moved out, bearing the national and state colors as well as a flag for every branch of the service. After a bugler, retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Carl Schlager played the national anthem, Katie Jeanes, a fourth-grader in the Girl Scouts, led the pledge of allegiance.

Then Army Lt. Col. Jayson Altieri, who is stationed at Fort Bragg also holds the rank of lieutenant colonel as aerospace education officer for the Fayetteville Composite Squadron, spoke in preparation for the laying of the wreaths.

As each soldier, cadet or veteran made the slow 100-yard march to lay his wreath, took one step back and saluted, another began his trip to the memorial until all seven were in place.

Gregg Evans, commander of the Rowan Military Honor Guard, read the closing statements. Then the special guests -- U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, State Rep. Lorene Coats, Rowan County Commissioner Raymond Coltrain and Gregg Whitney, director of the cemetery -- were introduced, and each came forward to make a short speech honoring those who had given so much and continued to do so.

Finally, the order was given: “Commander, salute our fallen comrades.” The rifles fired, followed by the mournful notes of taps played by two buglers – Schlager and Cadet Staff Sgt. Nathan Wuerffel of the South Charlotte Cadet Squadron – to create an echo effect.

The CAP color guard retired the colors. The ceremony was over.

Cadet Sr. Airman Chasby Berlinski salutes the fallen veteran whose memory he has just honored during the Wreaths Across America observation at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Cindy Visoso

2nd Lt. Cindy Visoso
Public Affairs Officer
Glendale Composite Squadron 308
Arizona Wing

ARIZONA -- A full complement of members of Glendale Composite Squadron 308 joined the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation Dec. 13 to honor America's veterans and members of its military.

Cadet Master Sgt. Curtis Watson, Cadet Sr. Airmen Chasby Berlinski and Justin Visoso, Cadet Airmen Zoe Berlinski and Patrick, Capt. David Gregor and 2nd Lts. Angela Ruhl and Cindy Visoso all placed wreaths on headstones at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, concluding with a sharp salute and all the respect due those receiving the tribute.

Freshly fallen snow and wreaths laid the day before adorn graves at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction on Dec. 14. The previous day, members of the Colorado Wing and others placed wreaths at veterans’ headstones as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation.

Photo by Maj. Eric Thompson

The Long Island Group Color Guard – (from left) Cadet Airmen 1st Class Alexander Craw and Joshua Millings, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Chiarelli and Cadet Airman Basic Jonathan Millings, all from Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10 -- participates in the Wreaths Across America tribute at Calverton National Cemetery.

Photo by 2nd Lt. Rob Calviello

2nd Lt. Robert Calviello 

Public Affairs Officer

Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10

New York Wing

NEW YORK – Members of two units in the New York Wing’s Long Island Group met at Calverton National Cemetery on Dec. 13 to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s veterans as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America observation. 

Earlier this year, the Long Island Senior Squadron and Suffolk Cadet Squadron 10 had organized fundraisers that paid to sponsor the purchase of more than 500 memorial wreaths. At the Calverton cemetery they were welcomed by Dennis Krulder, past New York State commander of the Disabled American Veterans and a coordinator at the Northport VA Medical Center, who would later preside over a public noontime ceremony.

Krulder also welcomed U.S. Rep. Timothy Bishop as the day’s guest speaker. In his brief address, Bishop stressed the need to remember, honor and teach about the service and sacrifices of America’s veterans – the very points at the heart of the Wreaths Across America program and its mission.

With the Long Island Group’s 2008 Color Guard helping pay tribute, cadets and senior members placed wreaths at memorials for each of the military services – the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.  A special presentation was also made in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action.

At the conclusion of the memorial ceremony, volunteers laid nearly 300 wreaths upon nearby gravesites.