Civil Air Patrol Places Hundreds of Veterans’ Wreaths

Civil Air Patrol members from the Putnam County Composite Squadron placed hundreds of wreaths on the headstones of our nation's heroes who are laid to rest in the Raymond Hill Cemetery on December 15, National Wreaths Across America Day.

Volunteers representing the five U.S. Armed Forces services branches, escorted by Civil Air Patrol cadets, placed tribute wreaths on behalf of each service at the cemetery memorial, including wreaths for the Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. “I’d go and do it all over again if needed, just tell me where to go,” said Marine veteran Samuel Salmon, who placed the U.S. Navy tribute wreath. “Each wreath is a gift of respect, placed in appreciation for the freedoms all Americans enjoy,” noted Major Ralph Langham, Civil Air Patrol’s master of ceremonies and former U.S. Army captain who served with Army Air Defense Command Nike Hercules and as Operations Officer with the Kansas City North American Air Defense Command.

The squadron had 200 wreaths to position thanks to contributions from the community, and an additional 40 wreaths donated by the New York Riders of Putnam County. Volunteers came from across Putnam and Dutchess Counties to help place the wreaths, including members of the Wappinger Warriors Girls Lacrosse Team and Mahopac resident John Culhane who played the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” on fife at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“Cadets showed an outstanding level of respect and courtesy during the ceremony, and while it isn't easy to take time from leisure early on a Saturday morning, all of them were not only willing, but also happy to devote their time, which I believe speaks volumes to their devotion and care towards our veterans and fallen heroes,” said Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Diego Gonzalez. “I would also like to mention the various volunteers who were extremely helpful. All in all this was a very fulfilling experience and I hope it will be the same, if not better next year.”

The wreath-laying ceremony takes place nationwide, with over 2 million volunteers placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at 1,400+ locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and national cemeteries on foreign soil. "Wreaths Across America brings diverse people and communities together across the country to celebrate all that is good and just," said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. "It is our obligation as Americans to teach our children – and each other – about the value of our freedom and the character of the men and women who serve to protect it."

Civil Air Patrol and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are holding a supplementary ceremony on Saturday, December 22, at noon, to place wreaths on the headstones of American Revolutionary War veterans interred in Gilead Cemetery in Carmel. For information contact Major MacDermant at (845) 216-5433 or email elenamac@aol.com.

Members of the Putnam County Composite Squadron meet on Fridays, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY. Contact Major MacDermant for more information or visit www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyCompositeSquadron.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.