“We are here today not to decorate graves,” sajd U.S. Air Force Major (Ret.) Tom Brown, the master of ceremonies at Saturday’s 2020 Wreaths Around Sugar Grove ceremony. “Today we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom.”

“We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” Brown said. “Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful community and America.”

During the ceremony, veterans placed remembrance wreaths in memory of those who served and are serving in each branch of the armed forces, as well as to all those who are prisoners of war or missing in action, at the Sugar Grove Veterans Memorial.

“We are all here to remember our fallen U.S. Veterans, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom,” State Rep. Kathy Rapp said.

Pete Glotz places a remembrance wreath at the Sugar Grove Veterans Memorial in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Marine Corps during Wreaths Around Sugar Grove, Wreaths Across America.

Following the ceremony, dozens of volunteers went to Wesleyan Cemetery in Sugar Grove Township and to Lottsville Cemetery in Freehold Township to place about 150 wreaths on the graves of veterans.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren County Dairy Princess Madison Sleeman places a wreath on a veteran’s grave at Wesleyan Cemetery Saturday during Wreaths Around Sugar Grove, Wreaths Across America.