Wreaths Across America

Andersonville National Cemetery

12:00 Noon, December 12, 2009

I am sure that many of you have seen the Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery after each Christmas for the past few years. The Wreaths at National Cemeteries has now become a Nationwide event. This year it also covered 24 Cemeteries around the World where our Nation's Heroes are also buried. Prior to the laying of the wreaths by volunteers a Dedication Service is conducted. Here you see a young member of the Civil Air Patrol of Griffin, Georgia holding the U. S. Navy Wreath. As you know, I, the Flower Child served in the U. S. Navy, so it is only proper that I display the U. S. Navy Wreath. The young citizens of the Civil Air Patrol headquartered in Griffin has young people from many cities and towns around Griffin, Georgia.

After the dedication ceremony we all went to lay wreaths. Each wreath had a tombstone number assigned so we could place them in the proper place. This picture shows a young citizen laying a wreath at the Tomb of His Grandfather who was a U. S. Army Hero. The young citizens Dad was also present so that there were three generations participating in this event. A very emotional time to be sure.

Here you see a Widow of a POW's tomb with a Wreath that they had just placed. The Hero's Grandson placed the wreath. He is in the green rain coat. Here we have three generations of citizens paying respects to another Hero.

The Dedication Service was also an opportunity for the Minutemen of Revolutionary War legacy to participate. These three were decendents of Revolutionary War Heros.

As I departed Andersonville National Cemetery I had to capture this picture. The Ceremony and the laying of the Wreaths was a very emotional time for all in attendance. There were at least 120 citizens present for this activity. Wreaths Across America is certainly a fitting tribute to our Nation's Heroes.