At noon Dec. 17, thousands of people across the nation paid patronage to the U.S. Military veterans, including hundreds of Lorain County residents as part of Wreaths Across America.
Despite chilling temperatures, the event was held at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 3700 Center Road, Avon where more than 700 veterans are buried.
The Nathan Perry Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the event.
The community was welcomed to the attend and brought many people who lost family members who served or who simply wished to pay respects to the men and women of each military branch.
At this year’s event, an additional 400 wreaths were ordered from Maine where they were handmade, said Joan Villarreal, of Elyria, who is a member of the Nathan Perry Chapter. Last year, 800 wreaths were laid, one at each veteran’s gravestone.
This year, the organization and assisting sponsors and citizens purchased 1,200 wreaths made of Maine balsam, for $15 each to place on veterans’ graves, she said.
Proceeds from the wreaths go directly to veterans’ services to help veterans with medical, housing and other needs, Villarreal said.
“Wreaths Across America’s mission is to: Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom,” according to a news release.
In 1992, the movement started with a shipment of 5,000 wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery, the release stated.
In December 2021, Wreaths Across America and its network of volunteers placed over 1.8 million veteran’s wreaths throughout all 50 U.S. states and around the world, the release also stated.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a also Wreaths Across America corporate sponsor.
This year’s theme for the national nonprofit is “Find a Way to Serve,” the release stated.
“It’s a good way to honor our fallen veterans,” said Villarreal who attended the event with her husband Jess Villarreal.
Jess Villarreal served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he said.
Dave Ransome, who served in the U.S. Air Force before being discharged in 1969, was also in attendance and placed multiple wreaths on his fellow veterans’ graves.
“This is great. It’s a lot bigger than what it used to be,” Ransome said. “We can’t forget the military veterans,” he added.
Erica Collins, her son Jake Collins and her eight-year-old grandson Hunter Collins, also came out for the ceremony.
Jake Collins served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marines.
“I like to honor the veterans because of the sacrifice they made for us,” said Hunter Collins.
