Wreaths Across America ceremony held in Saxonburg

December 14, 2024 Last Updated: December 14, 2024 03:43 PM Local News

Raymond Somerville salutes after placing a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

SAXONBURG — More than 100 volunteers and students paid tribute to fallen military service members Saturday, Dec. 14, at a National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony.

The volunteers laid 542 veteran’s wreaths on the graves of military members at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery following a ceremony. Service members whose last known status is Prisoner of war or Missing in Action also were remembered during the ceremony.

Myron Homiak places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

The auxiliary of the Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7376 organized the ceremony and provided a color guard, and members of the American Legion Post 683 in Cabot also participated.

Held across the country annually on Dec. 14, Wreaths Across America stands on the slogan “Remember Honor Teach,” meaning Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

The ceremony was a teaching moment for 22 students in the Knock High School history club who attended with Brad Pfleugh, the history department chairman at the high school.

“The club is geared toward veterans,” Pfleugh said.

He said he wanted the students to attended the ceremony to get a feeling for what veterans do and to feel the weight of the respect and honor bestowed on veterans during the service.

Club members worked with the VFW to help organize the ceremony, and also work with the American Legion to place flags on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day, Pfleugh said.

On Saturday, club students laid wreaths on veterans’ graves and then recited the veterans’ names, he said.

Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

This was the second year that high school senior and history club member Olivia Offstein participated in the ceremony, which she said is a nice way to honor veterans.

“The ceremony was simple, but very meaningful,” Offstein said.

She said her father and uncle are graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army.

Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

The ceremony began with the Rev. Douglas Dorsey of the Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church giving the invocation followed by Nick Collins singing the national anthem.

In her opening remarks, Laura Thoma of the VFW Post 7376 Auxiliary, said Wreaths Across America ceremonies were held at 4,200 locations across the county.

“Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear,” Thoma said. “We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do. We are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing. And, we have the right to succeed, and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue.”

Knock High School students Henry Hoffman and Caden Hassler played taps and Minister Jeanine Sanford of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cabot gave the benediction to close the ceremony.

Sean Whiting salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Jack Buckler, a Vietnam War veteran, places a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Myron Homiak salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Jack O'Brien places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Space Force during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, straighten the ribbon on a wreath before placing it on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

An American Legion Post 683 member helps perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Deakin Nock, 8, places a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Bill Rogers places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Merchant Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Kevin Criswell Jr. places a ceremonial wreath in honor of those Missing In Action and Prisoners of War during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Sean Whiting places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Kevin Criswell Jr. salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Army during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Lane Marshall places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Air Force during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Raymond Somerville places a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Gordon Mainhart salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)

Jack Buckler, a Vietnam War veteran, takes a moment of silence after placing a wreath on a veterans grave during a Wreaths Across America event at the Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery put on by The Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (12/14/2024)