By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer
There were more than 200 people who came out on a rainy Saturday morning to attend a wreath-laying ceremony designed to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to honor those who are serving or who have served in the nation’s armed forces.
The ceremony is an event of Millbrook’s American Heritage Girls Troop AL-125 and was held at Brookside Memorial Gardens. Troop Coordinator Susan Waldrop said 486 wreaths were laid on the graves of veterans. The Wreath Laying Ceremony was part of National Wreaths Across America Day. The ceremony is held simultaneously across the country at more than 3,136 participating locations.
The goal is to place a live, balsam fir veteran’s wreath at the headstone of every veteran buried there and is designed to remember the fallen, and to honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom.
This is the fourth year the American Heritage Girls troop has coordinated the event in Millbrook. The troop worked hard to get a sponsor for each of the wreaths. There are now 47 girls in the troop.
Representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force and POW/MIA’s all placed wreaths as part of the ceremony. The ceremony was led by Millbrook Presbyterian Church (MPC) Pastor Brannon Bowman. MPC also sponsors the troop along with the Trail Life group.
Troop member Abigail Bonebrake led the presenting of the colors. Troop member Gabrielle Bonebrake said there are many men and women serving in all branches of the military, here at home and far away, that most of us have never heard of.
“These men and women are part of the best-trained, best-equipped force in the world,” she said. “We honor them and their families for the sacrifices they make each day to keep our country safe from terrorism, hatred and injustice. This year, we’ve added an additional ceremonial wreath to honor the men and women currently serving in the U.S. Space Force along with those veterans who have served in roles helping to secure our national interests in space.”
Troop member Abby Sumner quoted President Ronald Reagan in saying, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it 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.”
Troop member Isabelle Ohlhaut led in the folding of the American flag after taps were played and explained the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag.
Mayor Al Kelley said the event means a lot to him and to the city. “It means so much to me to see these young girls showing their respect for our nation’s veterans,” Mayor Kelley said. “I appreciate how the American Heritage Girls show their leadership within our community by having this event.”
Mayor Kelley said the ceremony is especially meaningful to him because he has numerous family members buried in the cemetery where the event was being held. He also participated in the ceremony by laying wreaths on the graves of his family members and saying their names.
Next Isabella Horne said the live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to the families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf.
“To the children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday you may have to pay yourself,” Horne said.
Horne invited everyone to place a wreath at the head of the graves marked with a military emblem or rank. Those who placed a wreath on a veteran’s grave were encourage to say that veteran’s name, then take a moment of silence to thank them for their service to our country.
“And remember, we are not here to decorate graves,” Horne said. “Nor are we here to remember their deaths. We are here to remember their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”
For the first time, the William Bibb Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution participated in the event and member Cheryl Bass said the chapter will be more involved next year.
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,500 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad, including Arlington National Cemetery.
