Wreaths Across America Ceremony


I received an email about an event called Wreaths Across America, a wreath laying ceremony to honor all veterans was going to take place on the 15th of December at the Georgia Memorial Veterans Cemetery just south of Milledgeville, GA off Vinson Highway.

On Friday, I headed to Milledgeville and found the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery located about five miles south of Milledgeville. This was the first veterans’ cemetery in the state of Georgia and was dedicated in December, 2001. This will be the final resting place for more than 100,000 Georgia veterans and their spouses on 142 acres of land that was received from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

On Saturday, shortly after 11:00 a.m., the motorcycles began to come around the curve and up the hill to the cemetery. To me, it was a sight to behold to see all the motorcycles and the flags on the motorcycles waving as they came riding through the gate. Then Mother Nature was not working with us and it began to start raining cats and dogs. Ernie Simons, the Director, decided to move the ceremony to the Chapel up on the hill. The Patriot Guard did not let the rain keep them from doing their duty of honoring all the veterans on this day.

The ceremony began with a welcome to all the guests and speakers at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery by the Director Ernie Simons. The part of the ceremony that I have not seen in long time was the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and then the National Anthem was sung by Dannielle Lavender and Jenelle Moore. The keynote speaker was Major General Peter J. Boylan, the President of the Georgia Military College. Also at the ceremony was the Mayor of Milledgeville, Richard Bentley, and the Senator from the 25th District, Johnny Grant. The wreath-laying ceremony had representatives from all the Armed Forces and a POW/MIA representative. At the end of the ceremony, the Fort Gordon Honor Guard gave a rifle salute and played taps in honor of the veterans.

Wreaths Across America is made possible by the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, ME. The company has donated over 10,000 wreaths nationally and since G.V.M. will receive 800 wreaths, they will have enough wreaths for every grave.
 
For more information on the wreath-laying ceremonies across the nation go to their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.com.

Photos and article by Tommy Pittard