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Wreaths laid in honor of veterans

The Oskaloosa Herald - 12/23/2016

Dec. 19--At 11 a.m. on Dec. 17, a Wreaths Across America ceremony was presented at Arlington National Cemetery, while a concurrent event was held at the same in Oskaloosa at Forest Cemetery.

A handful of people turned out to the Veteran's Memorial in Forest Cemetery in the bitter cold and snow on Dec. 17. The overcast sky offered little light or warmth, and the wind carried snowflakes as it blew over headstones. The roadway was slick with ice and snow.

Since 1992, Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization, has provided wreaths to cemeteries throughout the United States at no charge. Area Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsored the ceremony alongside American Legion Post 34.

Marla VanDee, a representative of the DAR, was present to help lead the ceremony, and began with a moment of silence to remember, as she said, fallen prisoners of war, those still missing in action and all those who have served in the various branches of the military and are serving in the armed forces.

The cemetery was silent aside from the blowing wind, the clank of metal on metal from the flagstaff and rope and the strident caw of a crow.

The Pledge of Allegiance was then spoken by those present, and VanDee thanked everyone for attending the ceremony.

"Right now across the country, more than 1,100 memorial sites have gathered as one nation to remember, honor and teach," she said. The United States of America was founded with the ideals of freedom, justice and equality. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free, and we shall not forget you. We shall remember."

VanDee thanked veterans for their service.

"We are honored to know you. Today, we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America," she said, "as we remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach our children the value of freedom."

Seven wreaths were laid out on benches at the memorial. In order, veterans took a wreath, which was decorated with an American flag as well as the flag of each branch of the military, and placed in the memorial.

Joe Durian, veteran of the Vietnam War, placed a remembrance wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Army.

Darrin Alderson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Desert Storm, placed a wreath for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Joe S. Crookham, U.S. Navy Vietnam War veteran, placed a wreath for the U.S. Navy.

Randy Binns, a U.S. Army Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom veteran, placed a wreath for the U.S. Air Force.

Jim Nation, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, placed a wreath for the U.S. Cost Guard.

Ed Bridges, a U.S. Army, Cold War-era veteran, placed a wreath for the U.S. Merchant Marines.

Finally, Dave Polkowske, U.S.Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, laid a remembrance wreath in honor of the 91,129 United States servicemen from all branches of the service, whose last status known was either prisoner of war or missing in action.

"Those individuals have never returned to their homes or families," Bridges said. "We shall not forget you."

The order was then given for the rifle squad to assemble for a 21-gun salute, and VanDee continued with the ceremony.

"A person dies twice. The first time when they stop breathing and the second time when someone says their name for the last time," she said. "It's with this in mind that this year's theme of the national Wreaths Across America day is to 'Say their Names'. We encourage everyone to say the names of departed veterans and not remember their deaths, but their lives."

The seven-man rifle squad was ordered to attention and prepared to fire. The 21-gun salute was completed, Taps was impeccably played on the bugle; its mournful tune drifted out across the cemetery.

The men were ordered to fall out, and VanDee thanked American Legion Post 34 for their assistance with the ceremony and once more thanked those present for attending.

Bridges had one more thing to add.

"A nation should never forget, ladies and gentlemen," he said, pointing out the nearby civil war section of the cemetery, where members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) were buried.

The short ceremony lasted fewer than 10 minutes, and attendees quickly returned to their automobiles.

"It's a beautiful ceremony. The long one is actually really gorgeous, but we shortened it because of the weather," VanDee said as she walked carefully to her truck. "The Legion has done a beautiful job in helping with this. These guys are fantastic."

-- Herald staff writer Angie Holland can be reached at aholland@oskyherald.com and followed on Twitter @OskyAngie.

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(c)2016 The Oskaloosa Herald (Oskaloosa, Iowa)

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