LAKE COUNTY— On Saturday, Lake County communities gathered to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day. On a brisk December morning, residents made the commitment to show the veterans and their families that they will not be forgotten.
Youth organizations and Veteran organizations volunteered to conduct the Wreaths Across America ceremony this year at Hartley Cemetery, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Middletown and St. Mary’s Cemeteries. Eight ceremonial wreaths were placed at each location to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served, honor their sacrifices and teach our younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.
WAA pursues its mission with nation-wide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season, and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate our freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered. Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Space Force and POW/MIA were placed on memorials during a ceremony that was coordinated simultaneously at several participating locations all across the country and overseas.
Last year, more than 2.4 million veteran wreaths were placed on headstones at 3,137 participating cemeteries around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud. More than 525 truckloads of wreaths were delivered across the country by hundreds of volunteer professional truck drivers. The truck full of Remembrance Wreaths arived in Lakeport on Thursday, December 15 and was escorted to Hartley Cemetery where 800 wreaths were unloaded. Many joined in and watched from the sidewalks along Main Street with a patriotic spirit.
Every person has something to give, whether it is their time, ideas, compassion, or resources. Mother Teresa sad it best, “the greatest good is what we do for one another.”
