Staff report
Members of the North Carolina wing of the Civil Air Patrol participated in Wreaths Across America recently at Salisbury’s National Cemetery.
Participants included individuals from Rowan County, Charlotte, Boone, Fort Bragg and South Carolina, as well as U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, N.C. Rep. Lorene Coates, Rowan County Commissioner Raymond Coltrain and Gregg Whitney, the cemetery’s director.
The annual event is intended to pay homage to and remember those who are serving and who have served in the nation’s armed services.
As part of the ceremony the national anthem was sounded by retired Sgt. Carl Schlager. Katie Jeans, a fourth-grader from Girl Scout Troop 406, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lt. Col. Jayson Altieri, an active duty soldier from Fort Bragg, read the proclamation and added comments of his own.
Gregg Evans, commander of the Rowan Military Honor Guard, read the closing statements. The special guests were recognized, each delivering short speeches of their own.
The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute and the playing of taps.