As they do each December, the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of veterans gathered with the community at the Colusa Cemetery to honor veterans who are no longer alive to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.
Saturday’s Wreaths Across America ceremony in Colusa joined family members of veterans with former and active-duty service members to remember all those who served in the armed forces, by placing wreaths on their graves.
The annual program was in coordination of wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,700 participating locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad.
The event is held each year so Americans can gather as a way to remember, honor, and teach, said Colusa Cemetery District Manager Danielle Frampton.
“We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people from many walks of life,” Frampton said. “The freedoms that we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying before us, and in cemeteries throughout this nation, are men and women who gave their lives so we can live in freedom and without fear.”
Wreaths were laid in advance of the ceremony for health and safety issues and to keep the more than 700 wreaths, enough for every veteran, that arrived in boxes from wilt and mold.
As usual, the volunteers and family members who purchased wreaths were encouraged to visit the graves of veterans and recite their names out loud.
Veterans honored with wreaths included those who fought in the Civil War and served in all branches of the military since, as well as those who died since the last Wreaths Across America ceremony was held, including Vern Sanders and Gene Tanner, who both died in January 2021.
Sanders’ son, Dennis, and Gene’s brother, Bill, both members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2441, participated in the ceremony, as they do every year.
Sanders presented a wreath in honor of those who served in the US Navy; Taner for those who served in the US Marine Corps. Chaz Franklin presented a wreath in honor of those who served in the US Army; Jesse Chase Horner for the US Air Force; and Christopher Impinna for the US Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Matt Silva presented the wreath in honor of the 93,129 service members from all branches of service whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action.
Williams Chief of Police Jim Saso recognized Gold Star mother Gloria Estrada, as he has done at each Wreath Across America program in Colusa, by presenting the wreath to remember and honor her son Rueben “Boy” Lopez, 27, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Aug. 11, 2011. A wreath was also laid on Lopez’ grave at the Colusa Catholic Cemetery.
This year, Colusa County Assistant Sheriff Mike Bradwell presented a wreath to recognize Gold Star Father, Mark Hill, the father of Operations Specialist Brandon Lee Hill, 22, who died unexpectedly on his Naval Base in Virginia on Jan. 27, 2020.
Brandon Hill was a 2015 Colusa High School graduate. A wreath was also placed on his grave in the Colusa Cemetery.
“These live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices everyday on our behalf,” said Rosemary Hicks, who delivered the closing remarks. “To our children, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free, but have come with a cost that, someday, you may have to pay yourself. As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred, and injustice. Thanks to our Veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.
About 25 youth, who are the grandchildren of veterans, also participated in the ceremony, as did Colusa County Veterans Services Officer Don Parsons.
A volley of three shots, fired by members of the Maxwell American Legion Post No. 218 and Colusa VFW No. 2441, and the playing of “Taps” by Ron Simmons concluded the Wreaths Across America in Colusa. ■