A loss for community

I am almost beyond words. Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery powers-that-be decided to cut ties with Wreaths Across America, and for anyone who does not yet know who they are or what they are about, go to their website, wreathsacrossamerica.org. Their opening page says it all: “Remember our fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve; teach your children to value freedom.”

I will add: Teach them to step up, sacrifice, give. I’m sorry, but I find the actions of the cemetery incredulous.

In response to my post on its Facebook page Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery-North Little Rock: “We hear your frustration about the loss you feel about your program. However, it is important to us that every deceased veteran in our care receives a wreath and this year we are able to that.”

The loss I feel about my program? This is a loss to our entire community. I have photos from 2014 to 2016 showing my son’s tombstone and the

lack of wreaths, the extremely sparse wreath covering in 2014, to the dramatic difference in just two years in the number of volunteers and wreaths in 2016. The difference was not the work of the Beautification Committee from the cemetery, it was community, people who stepped up to enlist to educate others within our community. No, we had not yet reached the goal; we’d also like to see a wreath on every grave, which might be an unending battle as the number changes yearly.

Take it from someone who witnessed firsthand the ugliness of community during the Vietnam Conflict years. This type of joining in support from community, the awakening of spirits with boldness of action—that is what is amazing, not a bunch of used plastic wreaths covering every grave.

JANET LONG Conway