Wreath ceremony honors fallen veterans
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY JASON COX/ THE LEADER U.S. armed services representatives hold their colors at a wreath laying ceremony at the Bath National Cemetery Thursday. Organizers hope to make the event, known as Wreaths across America, a holiday rite.

BATH - Flags snapped in the cool breezes coursing through the Bath National Cemetery Thursday, as dozens of U.S. military personnel began what may become a tradition of paying holiday respects to the country's veterans, prisoners of war and the missing in action.

The ceremony, held at noon, was one of more than 200 similar events held in national cemeteries across the country. Known as Wreaths across America, the ceremonies were part of a wreath laying tradition that originated 15 years at Arlington National Cemetery, ou t s i d e Washington D.C.

The hope, according to local organizer Nancy Kurk, is to begin a nationwide holiday tradition that recognizes the sacrifices of past members of the U.S. armed services.

"I think it's a great way for the community to honor our fallen heroes," said Kurk, a 30- year member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Yates County and commander of the Wreath across America Project for the Bath National Cemetery. Future plans, she said, call for annual holiday wreath laying ceremonies in every national cemetery in the country.

Thursday's c e r e m o n y included a gun salute and appearances by representatives of the Corning VFW, the Steuben American Legion Color Guard and the Army Honor Guard. Representatives of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard lay wreaths at the central monument of the Bath National Cemetery, each one snapping off a salute after he or she laid their greens.

"We are gathered here today at this memorial site and memorial sites all across America to remember that we are one nation with one flag," announced Thomas Kurk, past detachment commander of New York's Sons of the American Legion. "We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free, and we shall not forget you. We shall remember,"

Wreaths Across America began as a joint project of the Maine State Society, the N a t i o n a l C e m e t e r y Administration and the Worcestor Wreath Company, based in Maine. The company originally donated 5,000 handmade wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery; this year, it enlisted the help of the Civil Air Patrol to extend the program to each national cemetery in the country.

"We take for granted the things we have," said Nancy Kurk. "This is a way of saying we'll never forget."