Holiday wreath-laying ceremony in Kent helps to honor the fallen

Lorin T. Smith/Northwest Guardian

KENT – Mary Bradshaw’s life changed June 25, 2009, when she received notification that her son, 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw, had been killed in eastern Afghanistan.

She joined the Washington State Gold Mothers Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., a group of surviving Family members of a servicemember who died in combat.

The Gold Star Families raise funds and provide volunteer support to veteran-specific events across the state and country.

When she found out about the annual “Wreaths across America” wreath-laying celebration at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, she knew this was one event the group had to get behind.

“It became a mission for me, it provided something positive I could use during the holidays while affording the opportunity to honor all those who served and paid the ultimate price,” Bradshaw said.

More than 300 people also remembered the fallen Saturday as they watched ceremonial wreaths representing the military services placed at the cemetery’s flagpole and had the opportunity to place a wreath of their own at veterans’ headstones.

Charles O’Hara retired from the Navy after 20 years of service and spent another 30 with the Merchant Marines. Remembering those he served with on active duty and as a civilian Merchant Marine was the impetus behind his attending the annual Wreaths across America wreath-laying.

“This event is important to the nation, and we really need more people,” O’Hara said. This is his fourth year attending, and noted that attendance has picked up, but still has a long way to go.

“I’d like to see 50,000 people out here placing wreaths for our veterans,” he said.

The Wreaths across America event at Tahoma was just one of 500 taking place across the country, with the largest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Started in 1992, a wreath company in Maine sent a surplus of wreaths to Arlington to honor the nation’s veterans.

What began small has now become a national event, including Dec. 10 proclaimed as “Wreaths across America” day by the U.S. Senate.

Seven wreaths representing the five military branches, the Merchant Marines and the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action servicemembers are ceremonially placed to represent everyone who has served or is serving in today’s armed forces.

The Civil Air Patrol sponsored Tahoma’s wreath-laying event.

“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price,” said Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Lt. Col. William Adam.

“Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so we can live in freedom and without fear.”

Adam spoke about the sacrifices servicemembers have made so that today’s American society can remain free. Placing the wreaths on a veteran’s gravesite during the holidays is just part of the respect owed to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country, Adam said.

“When you place the wreath on the grave, do it with reverence for the life that was, then stand back, give a salute and say a prayer of gratitude for their service and their Family’s grief, which may diminish through the years, but will never, ever go away,” Adam said.

The crowd was asked to write down the name of the servicemember and go home and research him or her to find out about their life.

“Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world and we thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you; we shall remember,” Adam said.

Every year, more than 200,000 wreaths are laid at national cemeteries to honor the fallen and their Families. For more information, visit http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/