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Wreaths to remember

Photo submitted to Times Observer State Sen. Scott Hutchinson and Rep. Kathy Rapp attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday hosted by Sugar Grove AmVets Post 50 and American Legion Post 758 at Wesleyan Cemetery. Over a hundred wreaths were placed at the headstones of fallen veterans as a gift of appreciation for their service.

The Wreaths Across America semi arrived in Sugar Grove — traveling from Maine — this weekend to deliver wreaths to small communities.

As the nation recognized Wreaths Across America at noon on Saturday, placing over 253,000 wreaths at Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC, AMVETS Post 50 and Sugar Grove American Legion 758 hosted a ceremony at Wesleyan Cemetery.

Past National Commander Gary Fry asked the audience for a moment of silence to remember the fallen, prisoners of war, missing in action, and to honor those who have served and are serving the great nation’s armed services. AMVETS Post 50 Color Guard posted the colors for the pledge of allegiance.

State Representative Kathy Rapp and Senator Scott Hutchinson both spoke on remembering the lives of the fallen. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful community and America. The wreaths and ceremonies show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as “we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom.” Both spoke on respect and gratitude for the veterans of this great nation, and assisted in placing wreaths on veterans’ graves.

Commander Fry called upon the cadets from the Warren Civil Air Patrol to assist with the ceremonial wreaths with the United States Army wreath being placed by Dave Krespan, United States Marine Corps wreath placed by Pete Glotz, United States Navy wreath placed by Gary Hale, United States Air Force wreath placed by Tom Brown, United States Coast Guard wreath placed by Pete Allenson, and the final ceremonial wreath placed by Richard Morgan in honor of the United States servicemen from all branches whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.

Photo submitted to Times Observer State Sen. Scott Hutchinson and Rep. Kathy Rapp attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday hosted by Sugar Grove AmVets Post 50 and American Legion Post 758 at Wesleyan Cemetery. Over a hundred wreaths were placed at the headstones of fallen veterans as a gift of appreciation for their service.

AMVETS Post 50 Color Guard concluded the ceremony with Paul Tutmaher playing TAPS and retiring the colors. The Civil Air Patrol assisted loved ones in placing wreaths on their families’ graves and covered Wesleyan Cemetery with over 100 wreaths.

Photo submitted to Times Observer State Sen. Scott Hutchinson and Rep. Kathy Rapp attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday hosted by Sugar Grove AmVets Post 50 and American Legion Post 758 at Wesleyan Cemetery. Over a hundred wreaths were placed at the headstones of fallen veterans as a gift of appreciation for their service.

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