This past Saturday, Dec. 17, St. Michael's Youth Group joined Wreaths Across America to honor our fallen veterans. This year, there were three ceremonies held in three different cemeteries. 

• St. Peter Community Center and Cemetery - 70 wreaths

• Holy Guardian Angel Community Building and Cemetery - 95 wreaths

• St. Michael's Cemetery - 296 wreaths

This year, we are proud of how large the turnout was for attendees and volunteers in the honoring of veterans and laying of their wreaths. Despite the freezing temperatures, the community came through for a beautiful day.

To start off this ceremony, Dave Pelsor of the VFW 2014 opened with a prayer. Following this were the flags to be carried out and held so that Brian Harpring could sing a gorgeous rendition of the National Anthem. 

After a moment of silence, Dave speaks about his movement. Over 2700 countries and counting participate in this ceremony to honor and remember those we have lost. We are reminded that our freedom came with a price, and that we won't allow our fallen veterans to be forgotten. Their service and sacrifice prove that these men and women loved their country and were ready to ensure their loved ones could continue living in prosperity. This beautiful and heartfelt speech tugged on the hearts of those who attended, and a sense of pride grew as we understand what these wreaths symbolize for us, and our veterans.

A veteran from each branch stood at attention and waited to lay down a special wreath for their fallen comrades. In order, the wreaths laid were:

• United States Army

• United States Marine Corps

• United Sates Navy

• United States Air Force

• Coast Guard

• POW/MIA - to date, there are 93,129 veterans in this category.

Dave Pelsor ends this ceremony with “TAPS,” where those who volunteered were now able to lay wreaths down on those veterans buried; these wreaths will be laid out for roughly six weeks or so, and we encourage the community to not only visit, but to come back next year.