Posted on 12/13/2009 3:28:08 PM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Honoring the nation’s dead veterans, especially during the holiday season, shows the love Americans have for those who have ensured freedom, a young member of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol said.
Saturday was the annual Wreaths Across American event, in which green wreaths with a red ribbon were laid out in a number of cemeteries across the country, including at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
As in the past few, years members of Cochise Squadron 107 of the Civil Air Patrol were the leaders for the local event at the state-operated veterans’ cemetery. This year, they were assisted by two cadets from Tucson Squadron 109.
The wreaths were but a small token of appreciation for those who have either given or willing to give their lives for America’s defense, said the 107th’s commander, Cadet 2nd Lt. Anthony Petonic.
Symbolically, seven special wreaths were put on stands at the cemetery’s area where ceremonies for Memorial Day and other events are held.
Five of the wreaths placed by cadets were near the flagpoles that flew the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard banners. Two more were dedicated in memory of those who served in the Merchant Marines during wartime and for the those still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.
Petonic said 93,129 Americans who served in the nation’s military are still listed as POWs or MIAs “who have not returned home to their loved ones.”
That number is slightly less than the entire number of living residents who call Cochise County home.
More wreaths this year
After placing the symbolic wreaths, the cadets marched off to place nearly 240 more of them at the tombstones that marked the final resting places of those who have served. This year, the number of wreaths placed was far more than the 40 put down last year.
As the cadets placed the wreaths, a number of family members were leaving holiday remembrances at sites holding the remains of their loved ones.
The Civil Air Patrol squadron will continue to offer the ceremony but to make it easier for people to contribute funds to purchase the wreaths — which this year were $15 each — the nonprofit cemetery foundation has a place on its Web site for individuals to donate throughout the year. The site is www.savmcf.org.
Cemetery Administrator Joe Larson said he hopes that each year, more wreaths can be purchased to eventually decorate every grave.
Civil Air Patrol cadets Samantha McNeil and Jason Homes salute after placing wreaths at the Historical Memorial Cemetery within the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Saturday morning. The second Saturday in December, the cemetery participates in the Wreaths Across America. (TY HOLLAND • FOR THE HERALD/REVIEW)
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