It was a cold and wet day in the town of Riga, New York as volunteers came to place wreaths on veteran’s graves at Riga Cemetery. I had the honor of being asked to return to Riga and participate at the cemetery again. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. The group that turned out today, certainly hit all the marks.
John Loser, Riga Cemetery Association and Erin Maysick, Harvey C Noone American Legion Auxiliary Post #954 prepared for the ceremony by making sure that all veteran’s graves had an American Flag placed on them for easy identification and had all of the wreaths close by and ready to go. For the ceremony, Betty Vinch led the Pledge of Allegiance, Betty is a member of the D.A.R. and is the Senior President, Ensign Robert Wilson Society, C.A.R. Macey Smith, C.A.R. played Taps when the ceremonial part of the ceremony was over.
We had a very nice crowd of patriotic citizens of all ages that participated. We were able to honor and remember those 92 men and women that served our country that have been laid to rest in this cemetery.
