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Volunteers honor military veterans with wreaths at Fort Knox Main Post Cemetery, Kentucky Veterans Cemetery – Central
G. Anthonie Riis | Fort Knox News
More than 1,000 volunteers laid wreaths at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery – Central in Radcliff, Kentucky, while about another 350 did the same at Fort Knox’s Main Post Cemetery – all as part of Wreaths Across America events Dec. 14 to remember military veterans who have since passed.
There are about 6,000 veterans interred at KVC-C and about 800 laid to rest at the Main Post Cemetery, according to officials who oversee the respective cemeteries.
At Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Central, the commander of 1st Sustainment Command, Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, said that veterans shared a same bond in death as they did in life.
“The men and women laid to rest come from all races, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds. They represent every branch of service and could not be more diverse,” Sullivan said. “What binds them together is the commonality that each one accepted to defend our freedoms whatever the personal cost.
“It is in this spirit that we have an obligation to remember their willingness to serve, to honor their sacrifices and to teach future generations to continue to pay respect to the men and women who bear the burden of protecting the freedoms that we hold dear.”
At Fort Knox’s Main Post Cemetery, the commander of U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Maj. Gen. Joseph Calloway, reminded observers that the evergreen wreaths symbolize a commitment to remember.
“Each wreath symbolizes the life of a veteran. It symbolizes the love that we feel for them and the memories that will live on in their loved ones,” said Calloway. “As you lay these wreaths, say that veteran’s name out loud – it’s one small thing that keeps the memory of that veteran alive.”
Fort Knox Garrison Casualty Assistance Center officials said they believe this year’s WAA event at the Main Post Cemetery is the first time a wreath was placed at every headstone.
“[This] became personal with our office because we can connect to it,” said Garrison Mortuary Affairs Coordinator Mark Kersting. “Last year, we lined twenty-seven wreaths along the front wall because we couldn’t choose any one over another to be recognized. This year, we were able to recognize everyone.”
William Marcum, a casualty assistance trainer with Fort Knox CAC said that honoring fallen Soldiers means taking care of those they leave behind.
“It’s emotional for us because we are passionate about what we do,” said William Marcum, a casualty assistance trainer with Fort Knox CAC. “It is all about taking care of the Families and showing the utmost respect. That’s how you show the highest respect for the Soldier.”
Casualty Assistance Center Memorial Affairs Coordinator Kevin Bowman said his office takes pride in keeping he Main Post Cemetery maintained.
“We take it personal and it shows. We even wash the headstones,” said Bowman. “In 2016 the cemetery earned National Shrine Status which it shares only with Arlington National Cemetery, and we work constantly to maintain that status.”
According to Marcum, many people didn’t know they could support the Main Post Cemetery through Wreaths Across America until recently.
“As government employees, we can’t solicit for anything like [Wreathes Across America], so it did take time for people to learn about it,” Marcum said. “It was by word of mouth and social media that people began to find out and they came to support it.”
Bowman said some mistakenly thought they were donating to Fort Knox. “It was amazing how so many people didn’t know that this cemetery existed,” said Bowman. “I’d tell people about the wreaths and they’d tell me, ‘I’ve already given to the Fort Knox Cemetery.’
“I’d tell them that’s the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery [in Radcliff] and that’s great –don’t quit, but we’ve got more than 800 veterans in the Main Post Cemetery as well.”
Bowman said future events will be handled by another on-post organization.
“The Fort Knox Spouses and Community Club will be taking over and working with Wreaths Across America,” Bowman said. “We are very encouraged by the support shown and believe this will be a sustainable event… none of the heroes buried in the Main Post Cemetery will ever be forgotten.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2019 18:29 |
| Story ID: | 356101 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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