Highland County Honor Guard holds Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony
The Highland County Honor Guard held a Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Highland County Veterans Memorial outside the county courthouse in honor of all of those who have served and sacrificed in some way for our country.
The ceremony was a group effort among several individuals and was attended by a small crowd on Saturday, Dec. 13. This event has been something that has taken place in past years, and is, in esssense, in conjunction with the efforts of the Wreaths Across America organization.
December 13, 2008 was unanimously voted by the U.S. Congress as “Wreaths Across America Day.”
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There were over 300 locations that held wreath laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries that year, which led to 100,000 wreaths having been placed on veterans’ graves, in which more than 60,000 volunteers participated. And these efforts of paying honor and tribute to our veterans during the holiday season have continued to grow.
According to the Wreaths Across America’s website, a frequently asked question is “Why do you do what you do?”
Their answer: “Yes, we understand we have Veterans Day in the fall, and Memorial Day in the spring. But our servicemen and women sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year, to preserve our freedoms. At many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“We honor our veterans every day. And we think there is no better time to express our appreciation, than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.”
And, this couldn’t be more true. Our American veterans, whether voluntarily enlisted or drafted for service, all put forth efforts to continue to protect the freedoms of which we, as Americans, have to this day. And the fact that we all have loved ones and/or friends that have served, either in times of war or conflicts, and in times of peace, it is the efforts that each of them put forth at one time or another to make it safe for us. It is nothing that any of us should ever take for granted.
When you’re out shopping and preparing for our Christmas and holiday get-togethers with friends and family, maybe you could consider picking up an inexpensive evergreen-like wreath and attach a red bow to it, and then leave it a local veteran’s grave. You wouldn’t even have to tell anyone. Or, you could tell a lot of people. It only takes one to make a difference.
“Our mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, Va., as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. We also organize a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veterans Parade” between Maine and Virginia where we stop along the way to spread our message about the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.” - Wreaths Across America
See more at: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
(With special thanks to Stephanie Roland of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission.)