Wreaths Across America 2018 meets long-time goal 121518

Article by Mary Alice Murphy. Photos by Mary Alice Murphy and Courtesy of Mark Erickson as noted

On the 10th anniversary of the first greenery and red-bowed Wreaths Across America being laid on graves at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, the challenge of laying a wreath on every grave was met.

Dr. John Bell, an Army Medical Corps physician, Vietnam Veteran, and long-time medical practitioner in Grant County, served as master of ceremonies.

He gave the history of the laying of wreaths at Fort Bayard. The first year, 2009, seven ceremonial wreaths were laid; in 2010, 35; in 2011, 72; in 2012, 549; 2013, 1,040; 2014, 1,755; 2015, 2,079; 2016, 3,024; and 2017, 3,824. This year wreath sponsors purchased 4,491 wreaths, one wreath for every single marker at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

"Isn't that a fantastic tribute to our veterans?" Bell said.

He named the committee members, including the WAA Coordinator, Mary Cowan, who has worked so hard for this accomplishment. Other members names were Paula Cooley, Gina Maestas, Frank Donohue, Anna Hill, Susie Yniquez, Niel McDonald, Shirley Mize, Mark Erickson, Kathy Strange, Laura Wiest, Danna and Robert Lopez, Susie Salars, Cecilia Bell, Rocky Hildebrand, Deb Cosper-Hughs, Tip Cowan, Rob Narvaez, Renata Gallassini, and John Pace.

Bell also said the more than 600 supporting sponsors made the goal possible.

He asked for everyone able to stand to do so for a full minute of silence to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, those missing in action and to honor those who served and are serving in "this great nation's military services."

The presentation of colors by the Color Guard included members of the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 and members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Bell introduced the featured speaker, Navy Capt. Diane LeBlanc, who recently retired after 25 years of service. A graduate of the Naval War College, she holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration. She is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and has held command of five units, with her last one being an Officer Training Command. She has lived in New Mexico for 37 years and most recently, she and her husband moved to Pinos Altos.

LeBlanc commended the about 100 people gathered for the ceremony for braving the cold. "You are all great patriots. It is indeed my honor to be here with you today to remember those who have fought for democracy and for our freedoms, including our freedom to worship as we please and to celebrate our various religious holidays."

She said the wreath has had significant meaning through the ages. The ancient Romans and Greeks used wreaths to crown victors and honor the brave. "The tradition of laying flowers or a wreath at a memorial site is a ritual practiced around the world and is understood in every culture."

"We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice during war, and our veterans who served honorably and have since passed," LeBlanc continued.

She also honored those veterans who cannot be with their families during the holidays because of the missions they serve. "We lost six Marines in a plane crash last week. While we are here today, our military is protecting our homeland and national interests against a multitude of threats, from cyberattacks to violent extremist organizations to illicit trafficking. Our military also offers humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and search-and-rescue efforts around the world. They are diligently standing watch day and night. They sacrifice every day to guard our freedoms. There is no better time than now to honor them. We honor them on Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring. This is another way to appreciate their daily sacrifice."

LeBlanc said her eldest grandson is in the Air Force and serving at Misawa, Japan. "He cannot come home for the holidays, so there will be an empty seat at the family table. Many of you have a family member or friend who will be absent for the holidays because of their military service. I encourage each of you to take a few minutes at the dinner table to remember and talk about that person and what their service has meant to you."

The theme of Wreaths Across America for 2018 is "Be Their Witness." "Through this program, we are ensuring the lives of our men and women in uniform are remembered, not their deaths. It is our responsibility as Americans to be their witness and to share their stories of service and sacrifice with the next generation. It has been said that 'those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.' Teach your children and grandchildren about democracy and the value of freedom. Tell them about the sacrifices made and that will continue to be demanded for the freedoms we have."

She said at a recent visit to the Veterans Administration Hospital, her husband's physician expressed his sincere gratitude for his service. "He told us: 'I didn't serve. Thank you for standing between evil and my country. And thank you for standing between evil and my family, both the one I was born into, and the family I have since made.'"

"I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for being here today," LeBlanc concluded. Your presence is testament to your patriotism and caring and is witness to our veterans and their families that you are forever grateful and will never forget. God bless each of you, and God bless America."

Bell also spoke. "We are gathered here this morning at this memorial site and memorial sites all across America to remember that we are one nation, under God, with one flag. We are proud to be Americans who live in a free society made up of many people, many cultures and from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price."

He noted that lying around those gathered and in cemeteries throughout the nation are men and women who gave the ultimate, their lives "so that we can live in freedom and without fear. We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do or as they may wish. We can travel from one end of this great nation to the other and not have to ask permission. We are free to vote for whomever we feel should be in government office, and we answer to no one but our own feelings. We have the right to succeed, and we also have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue."

Bell said the United States of American was founded on the ideals of freedom, justice and equality. "Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world. We cannot take this freedom for granted."

"Many of you here today are veterans of wars and conflicts that America has had to fight," Bell said. He asked veterans to stand or wave their hands. "We say Thank You and God bless you. We are most grateful. We owe you our way of life."

He quoted President Ronald Reagan, who said: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Bell said the Wreaths Across America missionwas appropriate to recall: Remember the fallen; honor those who serve; and teach our children the value of freedom.

The wreaths for the U.S. Armed Services were laid at the pavilion where the ceremony took place. James Maestas presented the U.S. Army wreath; Frank Donohue, the Marine Corps wreath; John Sterle, the Navy wreath; Freddy Diaz, the Air Force wreath; Terry Kline, the Coast Guard wreath; Debbie Root, the Merchant Marines wreath, honoring her father; Ray Davis, the POW/MIA wreath; Doug Dinwiddie of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society wreath honoring soldiers buried at Fort Bayard National Cemetery; and Cecilia Bell of the FBHPS, honoring the Medical Corps physicians and nurses who served at Fort Bayard.

The Hi Lo Silvers sang "Let There be Peace."

Bell gave closing remarks. "The 4,491 wreaths represent our commitment to remember the fallen, honor those who served and serve and to teach our children and grandchildren to understand the freedoms they enjoy today have come at a cost and cannot be taken for granted. We ask each of you to visit a gravesite, say aloud that individual's name on the marker and thank him or her for their service. That way he or she will not be forgotten."

He called Mary Cowan forward to receive flowers from Frank Donohue for coordinating the event and yellow and gold flowers from John Sterle honoring her for her Gold Star Mother status, for having lost a son in service to country.

"I always get the glory," Cowan said, "but I had a phenomenal crew. This is also the ninth year of the Hi Lo Silvers singing for this ceremony. I thank the community for committing to see a wreath placed at every marker and seven wreaths for the presentations. You paid for and we received 499 boxes of wreaths, with nine to a box." She also noted that wreaths on the back fence behind the seating were provided by the Evergreen Garden Club.

Bell said the Fort Bayard Museum would be open until 1 p.m.

The Hi Lo Silvers sang "God Bless America." Don Spann of the Marine Corps League Detachment played "Taps" out of sight of those gathered.

Spann said to the Beat after the conclusion that he had been told that "Taps" should be heard, not seen.

Cowan told the Beat after the ceremony that the community should be proud of Grant County, which is so patriotic and cares about its veterans. "This is a marvelous tribute to our veterans."