The Wreath Across America (WAA) program has become a vital part of our community in Tioga, Bradford and Northern Susquehanna Counties, and the Valley communities of Waverly, South Waverly, Sayre and Athens, and neighboring towns.
The WAA program is based upon the tradition of remembering service members for their sacrifices. Locally, the objective is a wreath on as many veteran graves as possible and on all Fallen Heroes headstones while saying their name out loud and thanking them for their service and sacrifice, and wreaths at the entrance to all cemeteries.
The annual wreath presentation ceremony is a ritual that occurs around the world, and is understood in most cultures. The wreath’s symbolism honors a selfless warrior who has perished. The wreath’s circular shape signifies eternity, bravery, peace and a unity that provides a powerful connection between current service members and those who came before them. The physicality and balsam scent of the wreath evokes an individual’s contemplation on the dedication and special qualities that make our veterans outstanding human beings.
The WAA lessons ask to remember our fallen veterans, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom and to spread patriotism for the ultimate sacrifices soldiers have made for our country.
The program’s 2019 theme, “Everyone Plays A Part,” will come to fruition at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, in Owego’s Courthouse Square at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial and the Tioga County Civil War Memorial.
Honor Guard of Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars will post the colors. Andrea McBride will sing the National Anthem. The Rev. G. Terry Steenburg will lead in prayer. Gold Star Families and veterans will lay wreaths at the Iraq/Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, World Wars One and Two and Tioga County Memorials.
Adjutant Ben Gardiner will lead the 137th Voluntary Infantry and place a wreath at the Civil War Memorial. The 137th will fire a rifle salute.
Speakers will honor our veterans and describe life lessons to help our children understand the true price of freedom in our democracy. The ceremony is an exceptional display of the recognition and pride that our area has in our servicemen and women.
The community is blessed to have amazing Boy Scouts in Scoutmaster Ralph Trenchard and Matt Lewis’ Boy Scout Troop 60. The Scouts will post 18 wreaths on skeleton racks honoring Tioga County’s Fallen Heroes buried in Overseas Military Cemeteries.
New Eagle Scout Ryan Trenchard will lead his Scout buddies as they lay wreaths on Fallen Heroes graves in area cemeteries.
For the third year in a row, Price Chopper in Owego is proud to support this community effort by donating the wreaths.
Maine Balsam to Normandy, France
Columbia Falls-based Wreaths Across America on Dec. 1 placed 9,400 balsam wreaths at the graves of military veterans in the Normandy region of France.
Headstones of all U.S. veterans at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer received wreaths. The cemetery, one of 14 American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil, overlooks Omaha Beach. Most of those interred lost their lives in the D-Day landings and subsequent fighting, which ultimately led to the liberation of Europe.
The Normandy wreath laying was WAA’s first outside the United States.
Three Tioga County Fallen Heroes graves received wreaths. They are Army Staff Sergeant David C. Dalton, KIA June 12, 1944; Army Private Robert H. Lunn, KIA Dec. 13, 1944; and Army Private Warren A. Schutt, KIA July 16, 1944. Hometowns were not reported.
This year WAA placed Maine-made balsam fir wreaths on the headstones of all 5,073 U.S. service members laid to rest at Luxembourg American Cemetery, and an additional 8,291 veterans wreaths at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.
Four Tioga County WWII Fallen Heroes are buried in Luxembourg. They are Army Pfc. Richard Warner, Army Private William E. Harding, Army Private Hugh Gardiner Jr. of Apalachin, and Army Private Robert C. Baker of Candor.
Four WWII Fallen Heroes from Tioga County are buried in Margaten’s Netherlands American Cemetery. They are Army Sergeant Richard Hoyt of Candor, Army Private Walter R. Magee of Lounsberry, Army Pfc. Glenn A. Warner of Owego, and Pfc. Edward Whalen of Straits Corners.
In 2018 alone, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid over 1.8 million veterans wreaths at 1,640 participating locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
What is a veteran’s wreath?
The Veteran wreath is made of 10 balsam bouquets.
Each bouquet helps describe the Veteran.
The second, the Veteran’s love for one another.
The third, the Veteran’s strength, work ethic, and character.
The fourth, the Veteran’s honesty and integrity.
The fifth, the Veteran’s humility, selflessness, and modesty.
The sixth, the Veteran’s ambitions and aspirations.
The seventh, the Veteran’s optimism for their fellow Americans and country.
The eighth, the Veteran’s concern for the future and future generation.
The ninth, the Veteran’s hopes and dreams that didn’t always come true but left them with no regrets.
Now the wreath made of 10 bouquets becomes a symbol of honor, respect and dignity.
It’s made from evergreen, which symbolizes longevity and endurance.
The circular shape symbolizes eternity, as it has no beginning and no end.
Its clean forest scent symbolizes purity and simplicity.
The red bow symbolizes great sacrifice.
– From Wreaths Across America and The Auburn Citizen
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