How to resolve AdBlock issue? 4th Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony Hosted by Philadelphia Winn Chapter DAR
- Details
- Lynn Jacques, Philadelphia Winn Chapter DAR
On December 17th, over 150 people arrived at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceville to pay honor to 350 Veterans by laying a fresh balsam wreath on each of their graves and saying their names out loud in remembrance of them.
This event was the 4th Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony, hosted by the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a volunteer women’s community service organization with a 132-year mission of promoting Historic Preservation, Patriotism, and Education.
Participants also included the Georgia State Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard and Militia (SAR), the Elisha Winn Society, Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.), the Parkview High School Marines JROTC Cadets, as well as local women’s groups, numerous Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW organizations.
The National Anthem was led by Philadelphia Winn Chapter Chaplain, Connie Rifkind, while the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nick and Rebecca Hamrick, brother/sister and members of the Elisha Winn Society C.A.R.
4th Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony Hosted by Philadelphia Winn Chapter DAR
Photos by Valerie Craft, Cheryl Rodriguez, and Stewart Woodard
Special guests included Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson, District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III, and City of Lawrenceville Mayor David Still. The guest speaker was Col John Haynes, U.S. Air Force (retired) from Lilburn, who spoke on the importance of remembering our Veterans and the qualities that they embodied when they served our Nation.
The event included ceremonial wreaths honoring each branch of the military; Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Space Force, as well as honoring the over 93,000 POW/MIA Veterans who have never returned home to their families.
The Georgia Society SAR Color Guard and Militia presented colors, performed a 3-musket volley, and played TAPS, to conclude the ceremony.
The beautiful balsam wreaths with red bows were made in Maine for the Wreaths Across America organization, whose mission is to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH the next generation the value of freedom. Over 3,300 locations nationwide and abroad received Veterans’ wreaths for ceremonies held on National Wreaths Across America Day.