"WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA" - Calhoun CAP Honors Deceased Veterans

(12/18/2019)

(L) William "Bill" Umstead lays the Navy wreath at
the Veteran's memorial at the Calhoun County Court
House; (R) Civil Air Patrol [CAP] Calhoun Composite
Squadron Honor Guard (L to R) C/SSgt Kaylee Good, C/SrA-
Kinlea Church, C/SrA Kameryn Toney, C/SrA Bradyn Toney

(L) 2d. Lt. Roscoe "Cokey" Gainer salutes after plac-
ing a wreath at the Veteran's memorial; (R) Lt. Col.
Mike Beckner lays a wreath in honor of Orvin Buck

In the early 1990s, the owner of a wreath shop in Maine wanted to put wreaths by the graves of the fallen military veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

This past weekend Calhoun's Civil Air Patrol honored that gesture.

C/TSgt Levi Good salutes Veteran at Bethlehem Cemetery

C/Amn Raven Story places a wreath on a Veteran grave

(L) C/Amn Hannah Beckner, C/Amn Hailey Norman, C/Amn Lauren
Thomas salute Great-Uncle Jerry Norman after laying wreath;
(R) C/SSgt Kaylee Good and C/Amn Hailey Norman salute

"Wreaths Across America" has more than 2,000 ceremonies nationwide to honor the fallen military veterans during the holiday season.

"When a wreath is placed at a graveside, we encourage the person placing the wreath to say that person's name," said Shirley White, the West Virginia coordinator for Wreaths Across America.

White said saying the name is another way to remember the military service man or woman, in addition to the wreath by the graveside.

Calhoun's Civil Air Patrol [CAP] fanned across the county, honoring America's soldiers.

(L) C/SrA Bradyn Toney salutes after placing wreath; (R)
C/SSgt Kaylee Good places wreath and prepares to salute

(L) C/SrA Kinlea Church salutes after placing wreath; (R)
C/SrA Kameryn Toney places a wreath on a Veteran's grave