The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
VETERANS’ LIVES REMEMBERED
Evergreen and Riverside cemeteries host Wreaths Across America events
“It’s a small act that goes a long way to keep the memory of our veterans alive.” — Deborah Kocsis, regent of the New Connecticut Chapter of the DAR
In some ways, the 2020
Wreaths Across America ceremonies held on Dec. 19 at two Painesville cemeteries looked a bit different than those of previous years.
At Evergreen and Riverside cemeteries, the ceremonies preceding the placing of wreaths on veteran’s graves were brief, and everyone at the event wore masks and observed social distancing guidelines because of dangers posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
However, one thing that COVID-19 couldn’t diminish was the opportunity to remember and honor deceased veterans buried in the cemeteries.
A total of about 200 people, ranging from children to senior citizens, converged on the cemeteries at noon to place wreaths on graves of about 900 veterans. The ritual was part of the sixth annual Wreaths Across America program sponsored by the Lake County-based New Connecticut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Deborah Kocsis, regent of the New Connecticut Chapter of the DAR, presided over the ceremony leading up to the placement of wreaths at Evergreen Cemetery on East Main Street.
She encouraged all volunteers who were placing wreaths on veterans’ graves to say each veteran’s name aloud and thank them for their service to the United States.
“It’s a small act that goes a long way to keep the memory of our veterans alive,” she said.
About 650 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves at Evergreen Cemetery. while 250 deceased veterans were honored in the same way at Riverside Cemetery on Riverside Drive.
After volunteers arrived, they checked in at a table and were given sheets of paper directing them to place wreaths on veterans’ graves in specific sections of the respective cemeteries. They took the wreaths from cardboard boxes that were placed in 10 locations at each cemetery, located each assigned grave and performed their duty.
During the opening ceremony, Kocsis clarified the mission that volunteers were being asked to fulfill.
“Remember, we are not here to decorate graves,” Kocsis said. “We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”
One volunteer, Betsy Hyde of Painesville Township, placed a wreath at the grave of her father-in-law, Jay Hyde.
“Wreaths Across America is a wonderful cause, and I want to thank our veterans,” she said, regarding her reasons for participating in the event.
Tom Moritz of Perry Township attended the Wreaths Across America program in his role as troop committee chairman of Lake County-based Boy Scout Troop 165. Along with giving some of the troop’s Scouts an opportunity to participate, Moritz also placed wreaths on several graves.
Moritz said the event helps remind him of how deceased veterans made our country what it is today.
“Everything that we own comes from those who came before us,” he said.
Along with tributes offered at individual graves, seven ceremonial wreaths were arranged in group fashion at both cemeteries to honor those who have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, as well as our nation’s prisoners of war.
“Please stop by these wreaths( after pl acing wreaths at individual graves) to pay your respects,” Kocsis said, during her opening remarks.
New Connecticut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution raises funds to buy wreaths for the annual event, as well as to make financial donations to charities in the region. At the Dec. 19 program, the chapter donated $1,835 to the USO of Northern Ohio. The USO’s mission is to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation.
The ceremonies held at Evergreen and Riverside cemeteries were part of the national Wreaths Across America Day, held each year on a designated Saturday in December. On Dec. 19, a total of 1.7 million wreaths were placed at veterans’ headstones in 2,557 participating locations around the country, according to Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that organizes and coordinates the annual nationwide observance.