GREENVILLE – Saturday, December 14, was National Wreaths Across America Day. The Forte GreeneVille Chapter of Daughter of the American Revolution held a ceremony to honor this day at the Greenville Union Cemetery, just one of over 4,000 ceremonies across the nation.
Wreaths were laid on every Veterans grave at Greenville’s Union Cemetery, where 1,674 Veterans are buried. Over 3,100 wreaths were laid across Darke County at 12 cemeteries.
“Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” DAR Regent Penny Weaver stated.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence, the Greenville High School NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) and Greenville American Legion Post 140 Sons Of The American Legion (S.A.L.) Color Guard presenting the colors, Linda Riley’s opening prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by GHS NJROTC.
“We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people, from many walks of life,” said Weaver. “The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
“The United States of America was founded on the ideals of Freedom, Justice, and Equality. Our Nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world.”
“Today, more than ever, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and active duty service members who had had and continue to fight to protect the innocent and oppressed.”
“Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the Fallen, honor those who serve and the families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
“There are millions of Americans gathering safely as one nation to remember, honor, and teach,” Weaver added. “We are all proud to be Americans who live in a free society made up of many people from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
Weaver went on to quote Former President Ronald Reagan.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free.”
The Greenville High School NJROTC and American Legion Post 140 SAL Color Guard presented arms as ceremonial wreaths were laid.
The Greenville Honor Guard laid veterans’ wreaths in memory of those who served and are serving in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.
Kathy Hoblit Bowen, a Gold Star Family, laid a remembrance wreath in memory of Donald Hoblit, WWII POW, and in honor of the 93,129 U.S. Servicemen whose last known status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.
“These individuals have never returned to their families and homes,” said Weaver. “We shall not forget you.”
Doug Wright, a retired firefighter, laid a wreath in honor of all First Responders.
“We are not here today to decorate graves,” said DAR’s Virginia Kagey in closing remarks. “We are here to remember not their deaths but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.
“As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred, and injustice,” Kagey concluded. “Thanks to our Veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.”
Following a closing prayer by Linda Riley, the Dark County Honor Guard played Taps, the NJROTC retired the colors, and Del Braun played Amazing Grace on the bagpipe.
