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You Are Here: Civil Air Patrol Honors Veterans During Nationwide Wreaths Across America Ceremony
The program started over 17 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine, donated surplus Holiday Wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the memory of the thousands of veterans buried there. The effort grew over the years until 2006, at which time the program went nation-wide and became the Wreaths Across America Project.
Each December, in simultaneous ceremonies taking place across the nation, in American military cemeteries overseas and on US Naval vessels on all the 7 major oceans, wreaths are laid in order to “Remember the Fallen, Honor those Who Serve, and to Teach our Children” that freedom comes with a price.
This year is the first year that a local ceremony has taken place. The Civil Air Patrol, which is a major supporter nationally of the Wreaths Across America program, took the lead in organizing the effort in Newark. According to 1st Lt John Morgan, CAP, the local project coordinator, “These men buried here at Cedar Hill and across the nation are the reason we have the freedoms we enjoy. We owe them so much.”
During the event, ceremonial wreaths were laid by veterans of the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, in memory of those who served and are serving in their respective services. In addition, cadets of the local CAP squadron laid wreaths honoring the US Merchant Marine and to remember the over 93,000 servicemen who’s last known status was either Prisoner of War or Mission in Action. As Lt Morgan stated while the POW/MIA wreath was being laid, “These individuals never returned to their homes and families. We shall not forget you.”
Over 300 Holiday Wreaths were then placed on individual veteran graves at the cemetery. These wreaths were sponsored by the generous support of numerous local individuals, companies and organizations. Guest speaker for the occasion, State Representative Jay Hottinger, of Newark, summed up the purpose of the event best. “We are a forgetful people. We need to be reminded from time to time”, Hottinger said. “The best way to honor them is by living lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
Civil Air Patrol Honors Veterans During Nationwide Wreaths Across America Ceremony
14-Jan-2010 (Newark, Ohio)United States flags fluttered in the December breeze as cadets of the Licking County Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, placed over 300 Holiday wreaths on veterans’ graves at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark, Saturday, December 12th, 2009. The effort was part of the nation-wide Wreaths Across America project, which this year reached to over 150,000 wreaths placed during 425 ceremonies taking place simultaneously at noon on this day.The program started over 17 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine, donated surplus Holiday Wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the memory of the thousands of veterans buried there. The effort grew over the years until 2006, at which time the program went nation-wide and became the Wreaths Across America Project.
Each December, in simultaneous ceremonies taking place across the nation, in American military cemeteries overseas and on US Naval vessels on all the 7 major oceans, wreaths are laid in order to “Remember the Fallen, Honor those Who Serve, and to Teach our Children” that freedom comes with a price.
This year is the first year that a local ceremony has taken place. The Civil Air Patrol, which is a major supporter nationally of the Wreaths Across America program, took the lead in organizing the effort in Newark. According to 1st Lt John Morgan, CAP, the local project coordinator, “These men buried here at Cedar Hill and across the nation are the reason we have the freedoms we enjoy. We owe them so much.”
During the event, ceremonial wreaths were laid by veterans of the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, in memory of those who served and are serving in their respective services. In addition, cadets of the local CAP squadron laid wreaths honoring the US Merchant Marine and to remember the over 93,000 servicemen who’s last known status was either Prisoner of War or Mission in Action. As Lt Morgan stated while the POW/MIA wreath was being laid, “These individuals never returned to their homes and families. We shall not forget you.”
Over 300 Holiday Wreaths were then placed on individual veteran graves at the cemetery. These wreaths were sponsored by the generous support of numerous local individuals, companies and organizations. Guest speaker for the occasion, State Representative Jay Hottinger, of Newark, summed up the purpose of the event best. “We are a forgetful people. We need to be reminded from time to time”, Hottinger said. “The best way to honor them is by living lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
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