Nearly 300 Christmas wreaths with red bows and snow-covered pine cones decorate the graves of veterans and others buried in the Maxwell cemetery.
Members of the Maxwell 4-H youth program, working with the Maxwell American Legion Post No. 218 Auxiliary and Maxwell Cemetery board of directors, laid the wreaths to honor those whose presence will be missed this Christmas.
Although not officially connected to the Wreaths Across America program, which is a nationwide effort to decorate the headstone of veterans, the 4-H and Auxiliary’s tributes were just as thoughtful.
Like the national effort to remember those who served in the nation’s military, the wreaths placed at the Maxwell Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 11, were sponsored by members of the community, family members of veterans, and through donations.
“The support from the community was amazing,” said 4-H leader Chelsea Dirks, who also acknowledged the effort of many 4-H members, who came out on a cool and damp Saturday to distribute the wreaths on graves marked earlier by the Auxiliary with small blue flags.
“I think it is a joyful thing to honor all the people that were veterans,” said Rachel Shadley, 9, who has been in 4-H for three years.
Shadley placed wreaths on the headstones of a number of members of her family, including great-great grandfather, Kenneth Wells Sr., who served in World War I; great-uncle William Wells, who was killed in action while serving in World War II, great grandfather Lloyd Wells, who served in World War II aboard the USS Owl, a US Navy “minesweeper,” charged with the dangerous task of removing enemy explosives from minefields laid in the waters to prevent ships from passing; and cousin Charles “Chuck” Wells, who served in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic/meritorious service during combat.
“I love that we’re doing this,” said Evan Mathis, 13, a five-year member of 4-H.
While unrelated to veterans buried in Maxwell, Mathis has family members who served in World War II in both the Canadian armed forces and the US military. He said laying the wreaths on headstones is an appropriate tribute to remember the sacrifice of all those who served.
“They went through some tough times,” Mathis said.
Addi Rickey, 9, was also grateful to place wreaths on the graves of those who served and hoped the Maxwell 4-H continued the project annually.
“I think it’s thankful for all the people who have died,” she said.
Unlike Wreaths Across America, the purchase of wreaths by the community also served as a fundraiser for the Maxwell 4-H program.
Wreaths were made available to the public to take home and enjoy for the holidays, or to place on the gravesites of their loved ones, military or otherwise, as a remembrance to those who are no longer living to enjoy Christmas with their families. ■