Photo By Sgt. Lena Wakayama | LOS GATOS, Calif. — Hundreds of wreaths lay in piles around Los Gatos Memorial Park...... read more read more
LOS GATOS, Calif. — Hundreds of wreaths lay in piles around Los Gatos Memorial Park as they await their eventual placement upon the graves of fallen service members for the Wreaths Across America ceremony, Dec. 16 in Los Gatos, California. Local volunteers gathered alongside soldiers with the 63d Readiness Division for the ceremony, which marks the first time Los Gatos Memorial Park has hosted Wreaths Across America.
Several distinguished guests spoke at the ceremony, including Army Maj. David Stewart, assistant professor Army ROTC for Santa Clara University, and retired Navy Adm. James O. Ellis, Jr., former commander of U.S. Strategic Command. They highlighted the importance of Wreaths Across America’s mission: Remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach your children the value of freedom.
“Wreaths Across America was born of one family’s act of kindness,” Stewart said, addressing the crowd of volunteers who had gathered at the cemetery. He recounted the history of the organization and how its founder, a wreath-maker named Morrill Worcester had started laying his surplus wreaths on graves in Arlington Cemetery in 1992. It was only after a photo of his act of kindness went viral 15 years later that Congress voted unanimously to designate Dec. 13, Wreaths Across America Day.
After the colors were posted by the Santa Clara University ROTC cadets, David Harvey, the Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator for the 63d Readiness Division, sang the national anthem, and the guest speakers were finished, the audience gathered to begin the task of placing wreaths on the graves of veterans as the 191st Army Band provided a soundtrack. Each grave was marked with a small American flag placed into the grass by the headstone. Volunteers were instructed by Cindy DeNoyer-Greer, the Wreaths Across America location coordinator and person responsible for putting together the inaugural ceremony, to say the name of the veteran to whom they are placing the wreath, because, as it states on the Wreaths Across America website, “A person dies twice: once when they take their final breath, and later, the last time their name is spoken.”
“In keeping company today with all who rest here, it’s the nearest thing we have to still being with them,” said Ellis, for whom the day had a personal meaning. “This morning, wreaths are also being placed on every grave in Arlington National Cemetery, including section 36, grave number 2418 where lies Holly Ellis, my beloved wife of 38 years.”
“Our good turn today is to honor the service of those who gave their last measure of devotion to this country,” said Stewart, referring to the Boy Scouts’ slogan, “Do a good turn daily.”
Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops were among the many local supporters who helped place the wreaths.
As the volunteers finished laying the last of the wreaths, the 191st Army Band played, “Taps,” signaling the end of the ceremony.
“It is good that we remember (our fallen) and it is good that we recall them as they were,” said Ellis. “While life indeed goes on, we must never forget.”
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2017 17:24 |
| Story ID: | 259917 |
| Location: | LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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