LAKE WORTH – Civil Air Patrol cadets from Boca Raton and around Palm Beach County will take part in the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday, Dec. 11, at noon at the National Veterans Cemetery on State Road 7 in Lake Worth. Colonel Buddy S. Harris, Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force volunteer auxiliary and former World War II Nazi sub chaser, will be the guest speaker.
This ceremony takes place every year on the second Saturday of December from coast to coast. Nearly a million live wreaths with hand tied red
C/Amn Stephen Hamilton and C/Lt Col Christina Zarrilli of the Civil Air Patrol’s Boca Raton Composite Squadron placed wreaths at soldiers’ grave sites at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, South Florida VA National Cemetery in past Wreaths Across America annual December ceremony.
bows and golden bells will be placed at veterans grave sites in national cemeteries in all 50 states and in Iraq and at 24 national cemeteries in foreign countries, as officially established by an Act of the United States Congress in 2008.
Wreaths Across America started in 1992 by the Worcester Wreath Company of Maine when due to an unexpected drop in business was faced with a surplus of thousands of live, evergreen wreaths. Recollecting the visual impression of his visit to Arlington Cemetery on a trip to our nation’s capital at the age of 12, Morrill Worcester decided to ship all the wreaths there to be placed on each veteran’s grave site which was covered with snow and brightened by the adornment of the green wreaths and red bows. The ceremony was relatively obscure until 2005 when photos of the event were circulated around the world via the Internet.
“In 2006, the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, became a key national partner in conducting the ceremony of remembrance to show thanks to our brave members of the armed forces who served heroically to maintain our freedom,” said Colonel Harris. “Additionally it sends a message to our younger generations that freedom is not free and we owe a great deal to our veterans who sacrifice much and readily fought and fight today to protect it.”
He will be joined by Civil Air Patrol members Lt. Col. Virginia Montalvo, Major Virginia Knudson and cadets from Palm Beach County squadrons in the laying of wreaths for the third consecutive year.
Also participating will be nearly 100 Patriot Guard Riders who assist in covering headstones, U.S. Marines, junior reserve officer cadets, American Legion and JROTC members. A mobile Veterans Memorial Wall will be in place, bagpipers and buglers will add solemnity and the families, friends and general public will also participate.
Captions:
1. Civil Air Patrol Colonel Buddy S. Harris will be the featured speaker at Wreaths Across America ceremony to take place December 11 at Lake Worth National Veterans Cemetery.
2. C/Amn Stephen Hamilton and C/Lt Col Christina Zarrilli of the Civil Air Patrol’s Boca Raton Composite Squadron placed wreaths at soldiers’ grave sites at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, South Florida VA National Cemetery in past Wreaths Across America annual December ceremony.