Wreaths placed in cemeteries: ‘We want to make sure they are never forgotten.’
Published 12:07 am Thursday, December 19, 2024
Alex Strayer kneels and carefullly places a wreath on one of the veteran’s graves. — Karen Kistler
Jos Reale, a U.S. Army veteran, salutes after placing the wreath. — Karen Kistler
Charles Frick places the wreath for the Unitd States Army during the program. — Karen Kistler
James Casasanta, in front, and Benny Casasanta, at right, along with their grandfather, John Casasanta put a wreath on the gravesite. — Karen Kistler
Chris Bartone and granddaughter Rosalee Hendricksen salute the wreath placed for the Gold Star families. — Karen Kistler
Individual place wreaths on the graves in the National Cemetery. — Karen Kistler
SALISBURY — It was a day to remember, honor and teach.
On Dec. 14 at noon, two ceremonies were held in Salisbury, one at the National Cemetery and another at the annex location, joining more than 4,000 other ceremonies put on by Wreaths Across America at sites across the country, to remember those veterans who have paid that ultimate sacrifice.
Wreaths for the local ceremonies were provided by Wreaths Across America and Wreaths for Veterans, a nonprofit which includes a committee of approximately six individuals including veterans Mike Satterfield and Perry Kessler, along with Josh Pickett that came together and started Wreaths for Veterans, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
He said that Wreaths for Veterans purchased 6,000 wreaths from their vendor in Sparta, which donated 1,200 extra. Wreaths from Wreaths Across America were also purchased with both cemeteries receiving wreaths from the two groups, he said.
A large group attended the ceremony at the National Cemetery at 202 Government Road, which was led by veteran Queen Williams. After welcoming the group, she asked for a moment of silence for those veterans who have gone before us as well as those struggling in Western North Carolina, noting that some were lost in the veteran community in that region as well.
Following an opening prayer by Williams and the presentation of the colors by members of the West Rowan High School JROTC, Martha Corriher sang the national anthem.
Prior to the wreath presentation, Williams shared some brief comments giving thanks for those who, she said, “gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget. We shall remember. We shall always remember.”
And that is why the ceremonies are held each year, she said, “to let families know that we have not forgotten them, and that we have not forgotten the prices that were paid for our freedom.”
Wreaths for each branch of the military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force, along with a wreath for POWs, and Gold and Blue Star families, were carried and placed by representatives of each group. As the wreaths were taken, one by one, the music for that branch or other special song was played.
When the ceremony concluded and volunteers prepared to place the wreaths on the gravesites, Williams encouraged each to say the veterans name aloud as they did so and to thank them for their service.
“It is a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive,” she said. “We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”
Pickett said there was a good crowd at the other location with 300-plus people and possibly more in attendance.
Pam Webb, the site’s new facilitator, was in charge of this ceremony, he said and did a great job, as he said Williams always does as well.
Pickett said he was not a veteran, but is a staunch supporter of veterans and that being there meant the world to him.
“Placing these wreaths, making sure these veterans are not forgotten, is a very heart-felt day personally,” said Pickett.
Many individuals, young and old, as well as families, were there to place wreaths on the gravesites.
Brothers James and Benny Casasanta were laying wreaths with their grandparents, John and Marion Casasanta. James said he felt it was important to be there and do this for their dad, Andrew, who is in the military.
Adalee Pope, who was wearing her Little Miss Denton sash, was there with her mom, Brandy Pope placing a wreath. Her granddad served in the Air Force, and they said they could do this for him.
Brandy said that it is very important “to remember where we’ve come from and to remember the sacrifices that were made for us, for our country, for our families. I think it’s really important to have our young ones remember what happened.”
Heather and Marc Hendricksen, along with their children Caleb and Rosalee, were there and have made this a priority to participate with their American Heritage Girls and Trail Life Troops 93, something they have done for the last four years, Heather said. The troops are sponsored by Centergrove Lutheran Church.
Marc said they have also participated at the ceremonies depending on the need, telling that last year they didn’t have anyone to walk for Space Force and they helped.
This year, Heather said her dad, Chris Bartone, and her daughter participated by carrying the wreath for the Gold Star families as he had lost a brother in Vietnam.
It’s a meaningful day for veterans to be able to participate as well.
Joseph Reale, who served in the United States Army from 1969-1999 said this was his fourth time to come to Salisbury to be a part of this.
“It’s a small price to pay to remember these people,” he said, noting that he comes from Huntersville. There are too many graves that go unremembered from year to year and again it’s really a small price and I’m certainly grateful for all that they did before I joined, and when my time comes, I’m hoping that someone does this for me.”
Reale’s wife Toni, who has volunteered serving veterans in the auxiliary for about 20 years, said that it is an “honor to pay homage to our veterans. There are things that touch your heart and this is one of them.”
She said, you can see the dates on the grave, the names and where they served and what they did, and it is absolutely unbelievable.
Jerry Lipscomb and Al Rosaro with the Marine Corps League were helping place wreaths.
Lipscomb said this is something they enjoy doing and Rosero, who carried the U.S. Marine wreath in the ceremony, added that it was humbling to be a part of the ceremony.
“We represent our veterans and our veteran community, it’s also supporting our community as well,” he said. “So being out here it’s the root of what we’re here for.”
This day and being able to take part was huge for Alex Strayer, he said.
He is with the 514th military police company stationed in Winterview. He is also a student at East Carolina University and in their ROTC program.
A very patriotic person, Strayer said he loves what he does.
“I joined the military because I had such a pride for my country, and so being out here and being able to show my support to the people that served before me, really just appreciate what they have done for all of us, it’s huge,” he said.
Pickett said that told someone that “we need to take care of our living, but we can’t forget our deceased veterans because they do not have a voice and we are their voice. And we want to make sure they are never forgotten.”
