In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the Wreaths Across Tioga County ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving.
The wreath – the circular symbol of hope, helps communities to remember and honor those who have served in combat, or in the military during peacetime.
The community would like to reach every veteran grave, and residents, businesses, and organizations and school children are chipping in to make this all possible.
The theme this year is “I’m an American. Yes, I am!”
Locally, the 11-year holiday tradition places Christmas wreaths on as many veterans’ graves as possible.
When you drive by a cemetery in Tioga, Northern Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, or in the Valley communities of Waverly, South Waverly, Sayre and Athens and you don’t see an evergreen wreath hanging at its main entrance, find a way to get one there before Christmas.
Community organizations are asked to friend or adopt a cemetery and hang a veteran’s remembrance wreath and place wreaths in the cemetery.
In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the Wreaths Across Tioga County ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving.
Families and members of the community are reminded to place wreaths at veteran headstones, weather permitting. The local objective continues to be a wreath on every veteran grave.
The wreath placements are part of the National Wreaths Across America effort to REMEMBER and HONOR our veterans during the holiday – a time of traditional family gatherings – and TEACH our children that we are able to do so, in peace, because of the many sacrifices made by our military men and women.
At Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, thousands of green and red remembrance wreaths were set against the simple white headstones of every veteran buried there.
This year Wreaths Across America volunteers, for the first time, had full coverage of all veteran graves with wreaths. In total, 1,570,000 wreaths were placed at 1,422 participating locations nationwide. That meant that over one million volunteers nationwide said the names of 1.6 million veterans out loud, to make sure they will never be forgotten.
In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving.
In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the Wreaths Across Tioga County ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving.
The Honor Guard of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, posted the colors and laid wreaths.
Iraq War Gold Star Family Barbara and Charles Bilbrey, along with area veterans, placed wreaths at the memorials remembering 172 fallen heroes from Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, World War II, World War I and Tioga County veterans who served in the armed forces.
Evergreen wreaths were placed at the Tioga County Union Memorial, as well as in the Courthouse Square by Adjutant Ben Gardner of the 137th Civil War New York Voluntary Infantry Regiment, and Bonnie Baker Duff of the Daughters of Civil War Union Veterans.
Especially remembered was Newark Valley Deputy Historian and Vietnam Veteran Jerry Marsh, who died a month ago. He updated the community on the role of Tioga County soldiers in the Civil War.
In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the Wreaths Across Tioga County ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving.
The pastor of Central Baptist Church of Greene, the Rev. G. Terry Steenburg of Owego, blessed the wreaths and offered the prayer and invocation.
Scoutmaster Matt Lewis’ Troop 60 Boy Scouts mounted wreaths on two stands to honor 18 WW II Tioga County Fallen Heroes who are buried in American Cemeteries and Memorials overseas. The Boy Scouts, leaders and parents placed the wreaths at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial and also traveled to Owego area cemeteries to place wreaths at the entrances.
For the second year, Owego Price Chopper donated the wreaths at the memorials, and several more for cemetery entrances. A thanks is extended to Manager Rhonda Wright and Floral Designer Deb Evans.
Veterans, the community and church members braved the snow to place wreaths at cemeteries and veteran memorials throughout Tioga, Northern Bradford and Susquehanna Counties and the Valley area.
In Owego, at noon on Saturday, a moment of silence began the Wreaths Across Tioga County ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving. A rifle salute is rendered.
Waverly VFW Post 8104, American Legion, Valley Color Guard, Village, County and Friends of the Waverly Cemetery Preservation participated in ceremonies at four cemeteries and four War Memorials. Waverly Mayor Patrick Ayres helped to lay the wreaths.
Tioga County veterans and Waverly Friends of Cemetery Preservation thank all who are participating in the 11th annual Wreaths Across America Program.
On Saturday, folks across the nation came on a mission to lay wreaths, and they left with a memory. The veterans who are laid to rest at cemeteries are the people who have ensured that America is free today.
Please report what you did for your veteran and cemetery, and any recommendations to Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Chairman, Jim Raftis, by email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
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