Veterans laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery and Alta Vista Cemetery now have wreaths adorning their graves following ceremonies Saturday.
The ceremonies were part of the Wreaths Across America program and this was the first year Memorial Park has participated. Alta Vista has participated for several years.
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 wreaths 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. Veterans saluted, some people took great care in arranging their wreaths and some spent a moment of silence or prayed.
Volunteers included community members, veterans, friends and family members of local veterans and members of Boy and Girl Scout troops.
“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. Marine 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.”
Ceremonies such as the ones in Gainesville were held across the country Saturday.
(Click on the accompanying photo to view more pictures from the event at Memorial Park.)
(AccessWDUN's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)
