MARYSVILLE — Although many of the military members who assembled at the Marysville Cemetery Dec. 12 had several years in the service, the ceremony that took place that day was new to almost all of them.
“Wreaths Across America” officially became a nationwide event in 2007, after starting as a local event in Arlington, Va., in 1992. The purpose of laying wreaths on the graves of veterans was to ensure their sacrifices would not be forgotten, during an annual occasion outside of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Members of the local Arlington American Legion Post 76 served as the Color Guard, while soldiers from the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and the Marysville Armed Forces Recruiting Station, among others, stood at attention for the observance, which was mirrored at more than 1,000 locations across America and overseas.
“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price,” Master Sgt. Mark Fogh said. “Lying here before us, and in cemeteries across the nation, are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.”
Fogh cited the role of veterans not only in ensuring the freedoms of to worship, speak, vote and raise our families as we see fit, but also in standing up for the oppressed around the world.
“There are many men and women serving today in all branches of the military, here at home and in places far away that most of us have never heard of,” Fogh said. “We honor them and their families for the sacrifices they make each day to keep our country safe from terrorism, hatred and injustice that plague the world community.”
After the ceremony, Fogh noted that he’s served 23 years in the Army, and currently handles funeral services for the 364th ESC.
“Whenever you’re able to take part in an event like this, you always hear amazing stories of what our veterans have endured,” Fogh said.
Sgt. Benjamin Wagner has served nearly nine years in the Army, and even after tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, he laughed and insisted, “They’re going to have to kick me out.”
Wagner followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Army, and while he conceded the difficulties of the service lifestyle, he’s also found it rewarding.
“Sometimes we forget what the folks who came before us have done for this country, so it’s good to get everybody together to remember,” Wagner said. “The Army has been a great experience, and I’d do it all over again.”
Lt. Joshua Donaldson, commander of the 334th Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Company, had the option to allow seven of his soldiers to volunteer in the wreath-laying ceremony. He chose to include his whole company, because “Wreaths Across America” was a new experience to him, and he’s always looking for new ways to honor veterans.
“And we’re just a couple of minutes away, so there’s no excuse,” Donaldson said. “This gives us a chance to engage with what the service should be about.”
David Delancy, of the Arlington American Legion, simply added: “We’re here because it’s a way to give more recognition to those who have been in uniform, including the ones who never made it back.”
