Wreaths Across America a touching tribute to veterans

For the many people involved with Wreaths Across America, the objective of this solemn tribute is quite simple, and it’s right there in its mission statement.

The aim of the national organization is to “remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”

On Saturday, Dec. 16 at St. John’s Church Cemetery in Walnut Creek, a group of veterans, families and others wishing to pay their respects to the veterans buried there gathered to share the message of honoring America’s veterans by placing wreaths at the base of each veteran’s headstone.

Leading the ceremony was Noel Vander. The Walnut Creek native who originally hails from Maine has been to numerous WAA events at both Arlington Cemetery in Virginia and in Maine, where Morrill Worcester and the Worcester Wreath Company started this campaign.

In 1992 the Worcester Wreath Company had a surplus at the end of the Christmas holiday season. Recalling a boyhood trip to Arlington National Cemetery, company founder Morrill Worcester donated 5,000 wreaths to honor the cemetery’s deceased veterans.

The desire to continue that tribute blossomed quickly and went nationwide, with one simple thought in mind: to honor America’s veterans one wreath at a time.

In the Walnut Creek ceremony, family members were on hand to place 26 of the 33 wreaths next to the headstones of veterans, with several others destined for veterans buried in neighboring places.

It was a touching tribute and a lasting memory for young and old, with the children there getting a chance to learn about those who served and committed themselves to their country faithfully.

“Honoring those who served is paramount, and what’s really great about this ceremony is that it teaches our young people to value that service and inspire them to carry it on,” Vander said. “Remember, honor and teach, that is the important thing.”

Vander said he wanted to do something local for a change, and this small but meaningful ceremony evolved.

For the participating families in Walnut Creek, it was a touching moment to remember and celebrate.

Jonathan Rider, pastor at St. John’s Church, said it was a blessing for each family to get to come out for the ceremony and participate in something that is both unique and meaningful.

He said the event developed when Vander contacted church member and veteran John Hochstetler, who wanted to participate in the effort.

“It’s an important and meaningful ceremony that we hope catches on around here,” Hochstetler said.

Rider agreed, noting what he likes about the ceremony is it allows family members to place the wreath on a loved one’s headstone.

Over the years Wreaths Across America has given many families a chance to do the same.

In 2007 the Worcester family, along with the support of veterans organizations and a variety of other groups and individuals who had helped with the annual veterans wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America.

National Wreaths Across America Day took place at more than 4,225 participating locations across the country including Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 16, where volunteers, family and friends remembered the nation’s heroes, a venture that honored more than 3 million veterans.

For centuries fresh evergreens have been used to symbolize honor. Wreaths Across America carries on that tradition, with each real evergreen wreath presenting a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military and their families.

Vander said the Worcester family has tens of thousands of acres in Maine, where they have the evergreen trees to make the wreaths. One neat feature of that forest of evergreens is family members are able to hang the dog tags or replicas of fallen veterans among the trees. On a sunny day, it looks like thousands of twinkling diamonds sparkling among the forest.

Trucks transporting the wreaths from Maine to destinations all across the nation create a parade of trucks as they celebrate together before heading out on their journey.

“The Arlington trucks are actually escorted out of Maine all the way to Arlington by state police,” Vander said. “That’s how important it has become.”

The recognition of deceased veterans is why countless volunteers annually give their time to make this undertaking possible.

Vander said the many WAA volunteers are the beating heart of the program, and each individual works year round to share the organization’s mission while hoping to inspire others to join the effort.

“It’s an honor to be part of this, and it’s a way for us to say thank you to those who served,” Vander said.

To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.