Two Gainesville cemeteries honor veterans for holiday season

Veterans laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Gainesville now have wreaths adorning their graves following a ceremony Saturday. 

The ceremony was part of the Wreaths Across America program and was the first year Memorial Park participated. Another ceremony was held at the same time at Alta Vista Cemetery, which has previously participated for several years in WAA. 

Ken Warren, US Army; Rob Dvorsky, Marines; Charles Fore, Navy; Bob Fox, Air Force; Carman Nichols, Coast Guard; Connie Colluro, Merchant Marines and Charles Bolton, Missing in Action and Prisoners of War posted wreathed for their respected branches at the veterans monument at Memorial Park. 

Then, about 150 volunteers picked up wreaths, distributed by AFJROTC cadets, and laid them on the graves. While all were encouraged to say the veteran’s name out loud, many added their own personal touches. Living veterans saluted, some took great care arranging the wreath and some spent a moment of silence or prayed. 

Volunteers included community members, veterans, friends and family members of local veterans and troops from local boy and Girl Scout trouts. 

“We came out today to honor veterans as a troop and show respect to them this time of year,” said Girl Scout Troop leader Tara LaPierre. “It’s our first time doing something like this and I understand it was the first time they did this here, so it’s been nice to come out and do that.” 

Ben Fulgham, a U.S. Marines veteran and scout troop leader, said he wished the public’s awareness of events like this was higher. “It’s something we should be doing a lot more of.”