Dec. 21—ROCHESTER — The Civil Air Patrol Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron partnered with Wreaths Across America again to continue honoring fallen heroes during the holiday season.
For years the Civil Air Patrol has partnered with Wreaths Across America to honor veterans who have died while also educating the community about the value of freedom. The Civil Air Patrol Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron has been preparing and selling wreaths for months before coming together on Dec. 21, 2024 at Soldiers Field Memorial in Rochester.
“We hold this ceremony every year, and we invite veterans to come to the ceremony and take part in laying their wreath here on these easels, along with some speeches,” said Ethan Brewner, Cadet Commander of the Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron. “Then we all disperse out, get hot chocolate, and we all go clean off a veteran’s grave and place the wreath as a sign of respect for what they’ve done for our country.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
The event was supposed to be held Dec. 14, but was postponed due to weather. Despite the small delay, around 20 members of the squadron and other volunteers gathered to lay around 450 wreaths at Calvary and Oakwood cemeteries in Rochester.
“Wreaths Across America says that you’re forgotten twice, once when you die and then the second time, when your name is last spoken,” Brewner said. “We’re just here trying to make sure that second time never really happens. We’re just trying to remember their names.”
Each year the number of wreaths sold grows and the volunteers have fun doing it. They start selling wreaths months in advance, with Thanksgiving being the final weekend to purchase a wreath in time for the ceremony and event.
Brewner said one of the most common ways they sell wreaths and raise money is through corporate sponsors. They also go door-to-door.
Advertisement
Advertisement
For every grave honored, the headstone was cleared of snow and thanked for their service.
“We really want to symbolize and understand who we’re representing, who we’re honoring, who we’re remembering,” said Benjamin Olson, Cadet Major of the Southeast Composite Squadron. “So we brush the snow away to see who we’re honoring at that moment. We’ll say that person’s name aloud, we’ll place the ceremonial wreath, and then we’ll take a step back, we’ll take them from their service, and then we’ll salute, and we’ll be on to the next individual.”
Will Lennon, Cadet Airman First Class, was one of the volunteers helping at Oakwood Cemetery. Lennon has a long lineage of veterans in his family and that motivates him to volunteer. Most of his family is in Indiana and Ohio and events like this help him feel connected to them even in Minnesota.
“Our favorite part is the aspect of remembering those that have come before us and who have served and have fought for freedom, and remembering them and honoring their sacrifice, and then teaching our youth and teaching our community about that sacrifice,” Olson said. “I think those big core values are what means the most to us.”
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
