CULLMAN, Ala. – At the Cullman City Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 16, members of the Dripping Springs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Cullman Lions Club, Cullman Area Technology Academy JROTC, Boy Scouts and other volunteers banded together to place wreaths on the graves of veterans. The annual Laying of the Wreaths ceremony took place as part of National Wreaths Across America Day – a day observed across the country on which volunteers and supporters “gather to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.” (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org)
“We are all proud to be Americans who live in a free society made up of many people from many walks of life; the freedoms we enjoy today did not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout the nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear. 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 the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue. The United States of America was founded on the ideals of freedom, justice and equality. Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you. We shall remember,” said Althelia Gibbs, member of the Dripping Springs Chapter of the DAR and organizer of Cullman’s Laying of the Wreaths ceremony.
“Quoting our 40th United States President Ronald Reagan, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in our bloodstream; it must be fought for, protected and handed down for them to do the same. Or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free,’” she continued. “Today we show a united front of gratitude and respect as we remember the fallen, honor those who served and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Each branch of the U.S. military was represented by a local veteran during the presentations of the ceremonial wreaths. Brian Monk represented the Army, Robert Turner represented the Marine Corps., Harold Barnard represented the Navy, Randy Mills represented the Space Force, Ken Brown represented the Air Force, Scott Bealer represented the Merchant Marines, George Krigbaum represented the Coast Guard and Van Hutchins represented Prisoners of War.
U.S. Army veteran Cliff Hatfield played “Taps,” invoking a moment of somber silence. Monk, a decorated U.S. Army veteran and commander of Cullman’s VFW Post 2214, spoke to the crowd that gathered in the cemetery to assist in laying wreaths, speaking of the gravity of the sacrifice the men and women made for the nation.
“When you place the wreaths, say their name. Say their name with pride and honor,” he said. “That’s why we’re here today. They’re why we’re here.”
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