Wreaths Across America pays tribute to local fallen heroes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

These unforgettable words first spoken by President Ronald Reagan were echoed over the solemn grounds of Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Princeton, North Carolina, as retired Col. David Sloan provided opening remarks during National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 13.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that hosts a national remembrance ceremony honoring the graves of veterans by adorning them with holiday wreaths. This year, more than 900 cemeteries across the U.S. and overseas joined to pay respect to veterans laid to rest.

"Each wreath [...] honors all service men and women for their selfless sacrifice as well as the sacrifice of the families who are without their loved one this holiday season and every day," Sloan said. "We stand on the shoulders of these heroes who have built and defended this great nation."

During this second iteration of the event at Evergreen, approximately $4,500 was raised to fund the 450 wreaths that were laid during the ceremony.

According to Staff Sgt. Candace King, 4th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor, the ceremony is a remarkable opportunity to further pay respect to the millions of fallen heroes who have given their lives in the name of freedom.

"I'm a big proponent of the phrase 'gone but not forgotten,'" King said. "Every year on Memorial Day, we honor our veterans for their selfless sacrifices, but it shouldn't be something we do just once a year.

"This holiday season, there are families coping with the loss of a loved one and as a military community, events like this show we haven't forgotten them."

Event coordinators, including King, hope to fund enough wreaths to cover every grave at Evergreen next year and also expand to other cemeteries in the local area.

To donate to next year's ceremony, visit http://give.wreathsacrossamerica.org/site/TR/NationalWreathsAcrossAmericaDay/General?fr_id=2624&pg=entry.