From left, Alex Hawthorne, along with Iraq combat nurse and veteran Danielle Ingram and Desert Storm veteran Bill Reynolds, of the Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9, hold a display of wreaths during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
A ceremony was held on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. to honor and remember our fallen heroes and others who served. Commemorative wreaths were to be placed at over 100 cemeteries in Tioga County and neighboring counties as part of the national Wreaths Across America Day.
Jim Raftis, Sr., V.F.W. Memorial Chairman and Korean War veteran, shared that the mission of Tioga County’s efforts in participating in Wreaths Across America Day is to, “Have a wreath placed at the entrance to all cemeteries and at every headstone of every veteran.”
Members of the 137th New York Infantry perform a rifle salute during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
According to the Wreaths Across America organization, “What began in 1992 with a trailer load of wreaths, decorated by volunteers and laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery has now become a national organization with over 900 participating locations – all focused on the mission to Remember – Honor – and Teach.”
At the ceremony in Owego, a blessing and prayer over the evergreen wreaths was given by G. Terry Steenburg, coordinator and facilitator of the Church of Greater Owego.
Rev. Steenburg shared, “We dedicate these wreaths in memory of those who have served our great nation and have now been laid to rest.”
Veterans and guests place wreaths at the monuments in the Veterans Memorial Park during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
Andrea McBride sang the National Anthem at the ceremony and members of the 137th New York Volunteer infantry performed a rifle salute. The V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard participated by posting colors and playing Taps.
Also participating at the Wreaths Across America ceremony were Bonnie Baker Duff, president of the Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War Tent 2 and Ben Gardiner, second lieutenant of the 137th New York volunteer infantry. Modern Warfare Veterans, including Iraq combat nurse Danielle Ingram and Desert Storm veteran Bill Reynolds held a display of wreaths during the ceremony and also hung a banner in the Veterans Memorial Park so that traffic entering Owego from the Court Street Bridge would be made aware of Wreaths Across America Day.
Jerry Marsh, historian and author, and U.S. Air Force and Vietnam War veteran from Newark Valley, N.Y., named a soldier who served from each town in the County during the Civil War as well as remembered all who served during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
Jerry Marsh, historian and author and U.S. Air Force and Vietnam War veteran from Newark Valley, N.Y., named a soldier from each town in the County who served during the Civil War as well as remembered all who served. First Vice Commander from American Legion Post 401, Ken Gillette, placed wreaths at five cemeteries throughout Apalachin and Owego and also attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
Raftis concluded the ceremony by sharing, “It is our commitment to remember the fallen and the wreaths symbolize those who have served and are serving in our armed forces, as well as teach the children to understand freedoms that we all enjoy today.”
-
- Ken Gillette, First Vice Commander of American Legion Post 401, placed a wreath at the grave of James Ryan, a Civil War veteran buried at Riverside Cemetery in Apalachin, N.Y. Gillette visits five cemeteries in Apalachin and Owego and places wreaths on Wreaths Across America Day.
-
- Veterans salute during the playing of Taps at the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
-
- V.F.W. Post 1371 Color Guard members salute following the placement of wreaths at the Veterans Memorial Park during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
-
- From left, Bonnie Baker Duff, president of the Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War Tent 2, and members of the 137th New York volunteer infantry participate at the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12.
-
- Jim Raftis, Sr., V.F.W. Memorial Chairman and Korean War veteran, speaks to veterans and guests gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y.
-
- Colorful wreaths adorn the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. and were placed in honor and memory of Tioga County fallen heroes as well as all veterans who have served.
-
- Veterans and guests gather at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12 for the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony.
-
- The Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9 display a flag at the Veterans Memorial Park during the Wreaths Across America remembrance ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Dec. 12. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
-
- Maple Grove Cemetery on Rt. 96 in Candor received wreaths for each branch of the service – Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army – from Veterans of Modern Warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan Chapter 9 on Wreaths Across America Day in Tioga County Saturday, Dec. 12. Desert Storm Technical Sergeant and Retired Medic/Medical Supply Veteran William Reynolds, Retired Air Force Major and Flight Nurse and VMW President Daniell Ingram and VMW Auxiliary’s Alex Hawthorne place the Christmas wreaths for Fallen Heroes of all wars who sacrificed their lives, their future families and their future children and those veterans who came home and resumed civilian lives. (Provided Photo)
-
- Five wreaths representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were placed to remember veterans at Christmas time at the entrance to Nichols Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day in Tioga County Saturday, Dec. 12. Evergreen is a symbol of life, love and honor; and a vow to never forget our deceased veterans. Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan Chapter 9 donated the wreaths as a gesture of gratitude to veterans. Quartermaster Williams Reynolds, a retired Desert Storm Air Force Technical Sergeant, renders a salute as taps are played by Chaplain Rev. G. Terry Steenburg. Retired Flight Nurse and Air Force Major and VMW President Danielle Ingram assisted. (Provided Photo)
-
- Pictured are Faucett graves with evergreen wreath. (Provided Photo)
-
- This past Saturday, Dec. 12, Candor Boy Scout Troop #42 placed wreaths they made to honor the veterans. Pictured, are Jack Bruttomesso, Andrew Suttmeier and Tommy Husband. (Provided Photo)
