PUTNAM COUNTY
National Wreaths Across America Day was recognized in Putnam County on Nov. 17, with a noon ceremony at Eatonton’s Veterans Wall of Honor, followed by individual wreath placements on more than 400 veterans’ gravesites at four local cemeteries.
VFW Post 6686 Commander Sherrel Nicole Barker read a brief, prepared speech at the wall before a small group of volunteers. She read of the sacrifices made by U.S. military veterans dating from as far back as the Revolutionary War to modern-day service, both at home and abroad.
“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear," Baker said. "We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do. We are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing, and, we have the right to succeed, and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue."
She further explained the purpose of Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica.org) is to “honor (veterans) and their families for the sacrifices they make each day to keep our country safe from terrorism, hatred, and injustice.”
Afterward, Barker explained the proper procedure for placing graveside wreaths is to lay it with the bow “at the 12 o’clock position,” either leaning against the front of a vertical headstone or flat in front of a horizontal marker. The person laying the wreath should then salute or place their hand across their heart and verbally thank the veteran for his or her service to the country.
Finally, Barker read, “We are not here today to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not (the veterans’) deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”
From the Wall of Honor, Barker and the volunteers then made the short drive to Pine Grove Cemetery, the first stop on a list that also included Eatonton Memorial Park, East End Cemetery and Crestlawn Memorial Gardens.
Once there, Eatonton parents Jason and Robin Riddle began laying wreaths with help from daughters Tiffany, 5, and 10-year-old Teagan, along with their 11-year-old cousin Rachel Paul from Covington.
“I’m not a veteran myself, but my granddad was and Robin’s father is, so we’re just trying to do what little bit we can to help make sure they’re remembered,” Jason Riddle said.
“The girls are definitely having a good time. We will acknowledge the more solemn aspect of everything on the ride home, but until the ride home, we just want it to be a joyous thing,” he continued. “Honoring our veterans doesn’t have to be a solemn thing. It should be something that makes us happy and that we’re happy to do. And that’s the main thing that we want to instill in them.”
Also on hand laying wreaths for the third-straight year in Eatonton was Vietnam-era Navy veteran Joe Curran, who served four years on the nuclear submarine USS Will Rogers.
“My father was a World War II veteran; he passed away almost two years ago now. He was a Purple Heart recipient, and served over in the Philippines. I honor him,” Curran said. “I had a brother who was also in the Navy. He’s down in Florida. I honor him. I honor all the veterans. I believe we have to do something for our country. Our country needs us now more than ever. So that’s why I do it. I respect the veterans. There are a lot more who gave a lot more than I did. So the least I can do is come out here and honor them at Christmas time and give ‘em a little thanks for their service.”
Barker lamented about local participation in the Wreaths Across America program waning in recent years. She said wreath purchases in Putnam County dropped from approximately 1,200 “about five or six years ago” to 438 this year.
“What’s frustrating is that we only made so much money this year, so we only got so many wreaths, but after the event, people will come to me and say, ‘Hey, my person didn’t get a wreath. Why didn’t you do it?’ They think it was our responsibility and that’s where the mix-up comes in,” Barker said. “So, then I have to tell people, if you are passionate about this event, come out and make sure that you lay wreaths for your loved ones. I mean, even though we raised money, it’s not a guarantee that we’ll get enough wreaths for every veteran’s grave. But if you’re here to lay one on your veteran’s grave, it’ll get covered.”
She also pointed out there’s no map of veterans’ graves. Barker and her volunteers literally have to walk amongst the gravesites searching out veterans’ markers.
“Of course, as we’re walking around we could accidentally miss one. And it’s nothing personal of course, it just happens,” she said. “So, what we do is we keep two boxes at the VFW Thrift Store (934 Oak St., Eatonton), and anytime this next week, if we did forget someone’s loved one’s grave, they can come to pick one up. And we won’t charge you. Of course, we love donations, but we work hard for that all year long. So, if we missed someone, please come and get one. We know it’s important to people.”