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Yearly wreath ceremony honors military veterans
The sunlight offered a bit of warmth as it broke through the cloud cover. For the small group of people that gathered at Carl Miller Park, it added some relief from the early morning chill.
The crowd met at the park that morning for a single purpose -- to pay tribute to military service members across the United States.
At exactly 10 a.m. Saturday, veterans in the Mountain Home community took part in a coordinated event that simultaneously began at more than 500 locations across the country as part of year's Wreaths Across America Day observance.
Representatives from the American Legion posts here were among the estimated 100,000 volunteers that placed 200,000 wreaths during these observances.
Celebrating its third anniversary in Mountain Home, members from local veterans organizations stepped forward to place the specially designated wreaths in front of flags representing the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine as well as current and former prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
The wreaths "represent our commitment as a united America to remember the fallen," said Troy Wilkins, a spokesman with American Legion Post 26 in Mountain Home. "We also want these holiday wreaths to symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf."
Saturday's nationwide event carried on a tradition originally known as the Arlington Wreath Program that was started by Morrill Worcester. His legacy began during his first visit to Arlington National Cemetery when he was 12 years old, said Lt. Col. Joel Meyers, who served as this year's guest speaker.
"As he grew up to become a successful business man and family man, his experience at Arlington reminded him that his good fortune was due in part to the values of our nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice defending them," said Meyers, who commands the 389th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
In 1992, Worcester donated and helped lay 5,000 Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. For the Maine native, it became an annual journey to the national cemetery.
The yearly wreath laying remained a relatively obscure event until 2005 when a photo of the stones adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the Internet, according to a statement from the national organization.
"It is a humbling experience to say the least to walk through the cemetery and be able to truly appreciate the value of sacrifice as it is very clearly marked with the head stones of our nation's brave veterans. It is an experience that stays with you forever," said Meyers, who visited the cemetery during his prior assignment to Washington D.C.
This year's ceremony comes as the men and women of the colonel's squadron prepare to head overseas as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.
"These young men and women take a great comfort and honor in knowing that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated by their countrymen," the colonel said. "The efforts of Wreaths Across America, to me, symbolize what is great about our nation. By remembering and honoring our nation's heroes, we will ensure that their efforts and sacrifices will never be forgotten or taken for granted."
Many of the people attending Saturday's event included veterans of past wars and conflicts "that America has had to fight to protect the innocent and oppressed," Wilkins said. "America has always been the first nation to stand up for the freedom of people from around the world."
The ceremony was one way the nation honors its veterans and their families "for the sacrifices they make each day to keep out country safe from terrorism, hatred and injustice that plague the world community," Wilkins added.
These men and women deserve a moment of time to receive a "thank you" for these sacrifices, he said.
The sacrifices made by those serving their nation are not limited to serving in combat, Meyers said.
"It is about joining a group of men and women, who despite challenges and sometimes significant odds, rely on their outstanding training and most importantly, each other, to overcome whatever obstacles they face," the colonel added. "The military teaches people how to be part of a winning team and builds incredible character."
Veterans are ordinary people who chose to join the military for various reasons, Meyers said.
"They gave up the ability to have a predictable lifestyle to be at the mercy of their country's needs," the colonel added. "They, much like everyone else, greatly appreciate support and recognition for their hard work."