Local Veteran Graves receives Wreaths for the Holidays

Kennesaw, GA — December 19, 2020 — National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA), led by the Kennesaw Mountain Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) joined the City of Kennesaw, the Kennesaw Historic Preservation Cemetery Commission (Cemetery Commission) and North Cobb-Harrison High School and Etowah High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets, and local civic organizations in the inaugural community-wide wreath placement program at the Kennesaw City Cemetery in historic Kennesaw, GA.

In keeping with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and recommendations, all participants and volunteers used good judgment by practicing social distancing and wore masks.

“Be an American Worth Fighting For,” was the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America 2020 theme, and its effort to support the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, as an inaugural program at the cemetery.

WAA started as a simple gesture of thanks that, over the last ten years, has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely.

“We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time and effort to fulfilling our mission on a local level,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America.

Saturday, December 19, 2020 was proclaimed as Wreaths Across America Day in the city of Kennesaw.

Loriann White, who serves the DAR Chapter as Regent and as a member of the Cemetery Commission, states “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom every day. Without their continued support, WAA would not exist.”

White officiated the inaugural event with greetings from Kennesaw Mayor Lt. Derek Easterling, USN (Retired) and Cemetery Commission President Mrs. Mary Helyn Hagin.

Mayor Easterling brought greetings to the assembly, commended Regent White, the DAR, and the multiple volunteers and organizations who made the WAA program a reality at the cemetery.

Easterling also serves as the North Cobb-Harrison High School NJROTC combined unit Senior Naval Science Instructor. The cadets joined preparation efforts on Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19.

Etowah High School AFJROTC cadets also joined the community-wide event, led by Lt. Colonel Stephen Bergey, USAF (Retired).

The Kennesaw City Cemetery is city owned and managed by the Cemetery Commission. During the ceremony, President Mrs. Hagin greeted attendees to the cemetery grounds and thanked everyone for their efforts.

All branches of service were recognized during the ceremony. The ceremonial wreaths served as a memory of those who served and are serving in the armed forces. Chattahoochee Technical College representatives Dr. Tom and Mrs. Shannan LaPorte saluted the United States Army wreath. Chapter WAA Chair Ms. Marcia Sasser and Mr. Justin Carrow, USMC saluted the United States Marine Corps. wreath. North Cobb High School NJROTC cadet Lt. Ethan Fowler and Cadet Ensign Elly Powell saluted the United States Navy wreath. Etowah High School AFJROTC Lt. Colonel Bergey saluted the United States Air Force wreath.

Etowah High School AFJROTC Cadet 2nd Lt. Marsey Bradley, Cadet A1C Siamon Veatch the United States Coast Guard wreath. Mr. Daniel King saluted the United States Merchant Marines wreath.

Organizations including the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Capt. John Collins Chapter President Mr. Gary Hoyt, escorted by member Mr. Dan King; the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) General P.M.B. Young Chapter #2373 President Mrs. Brenda King; and the Kennesaw Historical Society Vice President Mr. Andrew Bramlett presented wreaths.

The DAR floral wreath was presented by DAR Chapter Treasurer and JROTC Chair Mrs. Christina Bowser. “This wreath represented those who have fought for our nation since the American Revolution, for those who were Killed in Action and are laid to rest at the cemetery and ultimately, for the grieving American Gold Star Mothers who have sacrificed for our nation as well,” stated White.

Killed in Action were recognized during the ceremony. PFC Earnest “Wayne” Leonard killed while serving in the Korean War on July 29, 1951, John “Harmon” Thomas, 6th regiment, United States Marina Corps. killed by a German sniper during WWI on July 19, 1918, PFC Edgar Long, killed in WWII on October 16, 1944, Pvt. Doyle Faulkner killed in WWII on March 21, 1945, and Mr. David Mark Hughes had just enlisted to serve in WWI and unfortunately died later the same month at a training camp in Ohio on March 31, 1918.

SAR Captain John Collins Chapter wreath honored the 93,129 United States Servicemen from all branches of the service whose last known status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

The UDC wreath honored those who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, between 1861-1865 and are laid to rest at the cemetery.

The Kennesaw Historical Society wreath paid respects to the veteran stories and their history we hold near and dear to our hearts.

At the end of the ceremony, Taps were played by Harrison High School band student Miss Aurora Hampton.

The goal was to raise enough funds to place 200 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest at the location and its neighboring cemeteries, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration. The Kennesaw City Cemetery, Shiloh Cemetery, and Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Cemetery, located in Kennesaw, GA received the WAA wreaths along with 41 veterans buried at the Bascomb Cemetery, located in Woodstock, GA.

To help raise funds for the wreaths, White appointed DAR member Marcia Sasser to head up the local sponsorship and fundraising efforts. “I am tremendously honored to work with WAA and my fellow DAR daughters in this beautiful tribute to our brave Veterans,” commented Sasser.

As the daughter of a WWII Philippines Theater Veteran, a sister of two Vietnam Veterans, and the mother of a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Sasser continues, “I feel deeply for the Mothers, sisters, wives who help place these wreaths on the grave of their own personal Hero yearly.”

White continues, “blanketing the young men and women who sacrificed their everything for our every day with a wreath is a simple, yet effective way to pay our gratitude and thanks.”

Sasser is reminded of a beautiful line from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, written November 19, 1863, ..."It is rather for us to be here, dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain..."

Wreaths will be kept at the cemetery through the holidays. Wreaths pick up efforts are scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Volunteers are welcome to come and help with the clean-up.

About the DAR

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With nearly 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information to sponsor wreaths, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross.

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