Posted on 12/17/2017 3:21:55 AM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Cemeteries are usually places of reflection, but on rare occasions even that solemnity can be added upon.
That was case Saturday morning as hundreds gathered at Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across America Day. In coordinated ceremonies happening simultaneously in more than a 1,200 cemeteries across the nation, fallen or missing veterans were honored for their service and sacrifice.
In Sierra Vista, that ceremony took the form of the 107th Civil Air Patrol Squadron placing wreaths on the memorials to each branch of the armed services while delivering a message on what the military has done for each American. Afterward, families were invited to lay a wreath on the graves of their loved ones, then volunteers were able to fill the cemetery with the circles of green and red.
Joe Larson, the cemetery’s administrator, said Friday that there were a couple thousand wreaths to be placed at headstones and the columbaria spaces. The cemetery has been participating in the day since at least 2008, he said.
The day gives people the chance to reflect on the sacrifice on veterans and everyone who lays a wreath is encouraged to take a moment to read the headstone and think of the person buried there, Larson said.
“To really reflect on who that person is when they lay these wreaths,” he said.
Larson said what he loves about the event is that it’s a true community gathering. Walking among the headstones distributing wreaths will be families and friends of the deceased, volunteers who come just to help, troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, member of the VFW, people from Fort Huachuca and just about anyone else.
That certainly held true Saturday as a mix of people could be seen moving from grave to grave with armfuls of wreaths.
Debbie Nobles and her family recent moved the remains of her father, U.S. Army veteran Arnold Leon Figueroa, to the cemetery from Benson.
“We decided he needs to be home with us,” she said.
After decorating her father’s grave, she and her granddaughter, Destinee, made their way down a row of gravesites, making sure each had a wreath that looked just right.
Jim Harney, a member of local VFW Post 9972, came to the ceremony for the first time, though his wife, Kim, has participated for several years. Harney said he was impressed at the turnout for the ceremony, and was especially heartened to see so many younger people out on a chilly winter morning.
“I think it’s a very important part of what we do to remember those who fought and died,” he said.
Erich Hernandez lives in Tucson, but joined the rest of his family Saturday to lay a wreath on the new grave of his grandfather, Army veteran Alex Hernandez. Hernandez said he was touched by the ceremony and the message it delivered.
“Having my grandfather just pass away, it was very moving,” he said.
Our Trail Life USA troop participated yesterday at a local cemetery.
It’s a great way to honor our nation and the families of those who served.
I wish I was able to attend. I’m missing a couple of those vets. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more I miss them.
It is a shame i cannot visit my friends at the national cemetery here without being completely disarmed. I cannot even lock my GLOCK in the car safe.
The cemeteries need 24/7 guards so the atheists won’t steal the wreaths.
God bless MIA WWII Richard Hargrove Thoos, my uncle. Body not buried so far as I know. God bless him, his brother..my dad, his mom...my grandma! Wish I could Time Travel! Merry Christmas to them in heaven. Amen. I imagine everyday is Christmas in heaven!
John 14:6
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