Wreaths Ensure The Circle Will Remain Unbroken

By: Chuck N. Baker

From the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts, American veterans have been and continue to be devoted sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. They come from all backgrounds in life, placing their lives on the line for our freedoms.

There are millions of individual stories to tell. On Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, the sacrifice of veterans comes to the forefront. But service members sacrifice their time and safety on every single day of the year. Gold Star mother Joyce Richmond pays annual tribute to fallen soldiers in her home state of Maine, and at Arlington Cemetery, by volunteering with Wreaths Across America. In a recent magazine article she encapsulated the spirit of the entire nationwide program in a few words: “It’s not just about getting off a bus and laying down a wreath on a stone. They say somebody dies twice — when it happens and when nobody says your name anymore. So we say the names and take a minute to reflect.”

Wreaths are hand-crafted of American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow. They are then sent to participating locations, where volunteers place them on markers of a fallen heroes. That volunteer will then “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice of that veteran is never forgotten.

In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Perhaps there is no better time to express appreciation than during the frenetic pace of the holiday season. Currently there are more than 2,500 participating wreath locations that demonstrate to veterans and their families that the nation will never forget.

Wreaths will be placed on December 18, at 9 a.m. nationwide to include at our very own Northern and Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemeteries.

The Motto of Wreaths Across America is “Remember, Honor and Teach,” words that are defined as such: “Remember” that veterans have and are serving America, “Honor” fallen veterans, and “Teach” youth about the service and sacrifice of veterans and families. Each sponsored wreath costs $15, with $5 being allowed to the sponsorship program that is paid back to the many fundraising partners including American Legion, VFW's and their Auxiliaries, Civil Air Patrol Squadrons, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Easter Seals, school groups and many other veterans organizations and national non-profits.

Wreaths Across America reports that in addition to honoring veterans, it is important that the program helps to teach future generations the value of freedom. It is unfortunate that as the country’s educational institutions cut back on history classes due to lagging budgets, many students are not taught about the nation’s military sacrifices. I recently overheard a veteran of the Korean War speak to a 20-something young lady. He was relating his wartime experiences and mentioned “MacArthur” and “Inchon.” I could read the lady’s face and realized she had no understanding of who Gen. Douglas MacArthur was, and did not know of the Korean city of Inchon (Incheon) when U.S. soldiers under United Nations command fought North Korean troops. Programs like Wreaths Across America and other patriotic operations help to instill a sense of history and pride.

A popular vintage Christian hymn is entitled “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” The lyrics ask if everyone in a family will be reunited in Heaven after they have all passed. It could be said that a wreath, given its circular arrangement, is a representation of that spirituality, faith and eternal life. So the placing of Wreaths Across America on veterans gravesites each December is exceedingly appropriate and helps ensure that the veterans’ circles remain unbroken.

For more information on how to participate at one of our cemeteries please contact:

Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Roger Elliot catman9r@hotmail.com

Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery- Micahel Lipka michael.lipka@nvwg.cap.gov.

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