Editor’s note: Photos were submitted by Pastor Toni Lucas.
On Friday, December 14, 2018, American Legion Post 328 member Jerry Brearton of Morrison, IL, received word that the Color Guard for a Saturday, December 15, veterans tribute in Albany, IL, had fallen through. He reported late Saturday, “I was able to get four members of my Honor Guard to participate this morning. It was a wreath laying [at 11:00 a.m.]”
Waiting to present the Colors are, left-to-right, Post 328 members: Sergeant-at-Arms Brearton; Bob Brands; Ron Wiersema (U. S. flag); Garry Seaman (American Legion flag); Larry Zuidema.
Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, the WAA organization aims to “Remember (our fallen U. S. Veterans), Honor (those who serve), Teach (your children the value of freedom.)” Communities are encouraged to decorate the graves of local veterans with wreaths. Tributes are held at
- Arlington National Cemetery
- over 1400 cemeteries in 50 States
- sea
- locations abroad.
Pastor Toni Lucas of Albany Methodist Church is the Location Leader for Wreaths Across America. “This was our first [Albany] celebration,” she stated. However, she previously “set this up in three towns in five locations.” She sought sponsorship from the Albany Lions Club to fundraise. “We raised enough money to cover every veteran’s grave!” There are 174 veterans buried in Lusk Cemetery in Albany.
Pastor Lucas contacted a representative from six branches of the Military: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. A wreath for each branch was placed at the Veterans Memorial section of the cemetery; a seventh honored Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. Coast Guardsman Lori Matlack of Morrison is shown after she placed the Coast Guard wreath.
Following the ceremony, all attendees laid wreaths on the graves of veterans. The Lions Club arranged for the Clinton, IA, AmVets to bring an Honor Guard to conduct a 21-gun rifle salute and a bugler to play “Taps.” They are standing along the fence atop a rise.
Albany Police Chief Wyatt Heyvaert created this collage.
“It’s the most beautiful service,” noted Pastor Lucas. “We’re honoring [the veterans’] time, their life, not their death, as we Remember, Honor, Teach. About 75 or 80 people” attended. “We will do it every year.”