By KRISTI MAYFIELD
As the wind howled and the rain-filled sky grew grayer, a large crowd gathered at the Oakdale Citizens Cemetery to honor those service members that we’ve lost. The annual Wreaths Across America program hosted at the cemetery brings many different service members from various branches of the military together along with local service groups, such as Cub Scout Pack 365 and the Oakdale Lions Club, to honor veterans that have passed. Wreaths are placed on the graves of all veterans at the East J Street cemetery in Oakdale, with this year’s event staged on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Volunteers turning out to assist with the laying of wreaths were also provided with beverages including hot cocoa and coffee, along with donuts, to help them power up for the task at hand.
Wreaths Across America began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, ended up with a surplus of wreaths and donated them to Arlington National Cemetery to be placed on the graves of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Worcester was inspired by a trip to Washington as a boy and vowed to honor and support veterans throughout his life. Through the continued support of volunteers nationwide, Wreaths Across America has continued to honor veterans and has now placed more than 2.7 million wreaths on the gravesites of veterans.
Oakdale is home to many that have served in the Armed Forces and that was evident on Saturday by the many current and former service members that were in attendance. Former Oakdale Mayor J.R. McCarty, representing Pacific Project Heroes, addressed the crowd and reminded attendees of the dignity and honor with which our military serves.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to thank those that have served and I am glad to be here to honor them in this way,” McCarty said.
Some of the veterans attending noted that, even on days like Saturday when it was chilly and windy, soldiers had to continue on. They didn’t have the choice to stop or rest when their feet were tired from marching, they had to continue on, when injured, when sick.
“For those that have served, it’s very emotional and I don’t care how hard it is raining, I’d be here,” said Bill Johnson, retired U.S. Marine.
Groups fanned out throughout the cemetery on Saturday morning, laying several hundred wreaths to mark the gravesites of veterans buried there.
For more information on Wreaths Across America and their various programs, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
