The entire nation is very aware of Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, but every third December another lesser-known remembrance day is held in cemetaries all across the nation again honoring our veterans. It's called Wreaths Across America Day.

photo: Kevin Hoehn
photo: Kevin Hoehn
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Don't kick yourself for not knowing what it is if you've never heard of it. Mostly those closely connected to the military do but it's been gaining some serious traction in the last decade. What started as one man, a wreath maker who used his surplus of Christmas wreaths to adorn headstones at Arlington National Cemetary some 25 years ago has now grown to over 1200 cemetaries in all 50 states nationwide including ours.

photo: Kevin Hoehn
photo: Kevin Hoehn
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This past Saturday, many gathered in St. Peter's Cemetary in Rome at noon on the dot just like the rest of the nation, us despite some pretty steady snowfall to do just that. The National Anthem was sung, Taps was played by a trumpet masterRep Claudia Tenney gave a speech and the local Civil Air Patrol squadron provided color gaurd, all in the biting cold weather. This shows just how grateful our local communities are to those that have given their lives for our freedom or served and then passed more peacefully following retirement.

photo: Kevin Hoehne
photo: Kevin Hoehn
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This initiative isn't possible without gobs of volunteer involvement and if this is something that you'd like to get involved with next year whether donating a wreath or donating your service in other ways, it's easy to get involved: click here for more details.

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