Wreaths Across America Honors Veterans
By Laura Galbraith, Chattanooga Times Free Press
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Tenn State Rep. Kevin Brooks (left) and Col. Barry Melton, wing commander of the Tennessee Civil Air Patrol, both Church of God members, participate in wreath laying at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. |
CHATTANOOGA–The Chattanooga National Cemetery was one of over 350 locations in the United States on Saturday that participated in Wreaths Across America, an annual ceremony that honors U.S. veterans.
“The freedoms that we enjoy today have not come without a price,” said Capt. Ron Broach of the Civil Air Patrol, the leader of the ceremony. “Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
With the financial help of sponsors, volunteers placed 1,022 wreaths on gravestones in the National Cemetery early Saturday morning before the ceremony.
“As we drove into the cemetery this morning and saw the dozens of people placing wreaths of honor on these men and women’s graves, I can’t tell you how personally moving it was for me,” said state Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Tenn., and one of the event’s speakers. “It’s a scriptural mandate for us to give honor to whom honor is due, something that we should never forget.”
The highlight of the ceremony came when wreaths were placed to honor those in each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the 93,852 U.S. servicemen whose last known status was either prisoners of war or missing in action.
Capt. Broach also extended his thanks to those currently serving in the armed forces.
“Today is not just about those who have passed on,” he said. “It is also about the men and women currently serving in active-duty roles and reserve roles, both here in America and overseas.”
Pam McConnell, the regent of the Nancy Ward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said she thought the ceremony was very moving.
“As a mom, I got two sons, one in the Air Force and one in the Army, so this was really special,” Mrs. McConnell said.
“Like they said today, we have to honor the veterans, we have to never forget and we have to teach the next generation,” she said. “Because if we don’t, what do we have?”
Mrs. McConnell said last year’s ceremony brought in slightly over 100 wreaths, so this year’s number was certainly a drastic improvement.
The National Cemetery contains over 40,000 graves, and organizers hope that within the coming years they will be able to place a wreath on each one.
Individuals and businesses can show their support by purchasing wreaths at the Wreaths Across America Web site, http://contribute.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
(Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
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