1,020 wreaths laid upon fallen heroes’ graves at Cullman City Cemetery
CULLMAN, Ala. – What began as a lasting impression on a 12-year-old paperboy, moved by the sight of thousands of graves at Arlington National Cemetery and the sacrifices of veterans, has grown into a nationwide tradition of remembrance and education. From its humble beginnings to the stewarding hands of Cullman City Cemetery Coordinator Athelia Gibbs, Wreaths Across America continues to fulfill its simple mission with each wreath placed; to remember, honor and teach.
For more than 30 years, on the second or third Saturday of December, volunteers across the country have gathered to place wreaths on the graves of veterans. In an act of patriotic unity, wreaths are placed to honor those who have served, to teach future generations about their sacrifice and remind everyone of the cost of the precious freedom granted to them today.
“Wreaths Across America’s mission to Remember, Honor and Teach lasts all year long, far beyond the single day in December when we coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies,” states the mission statement on the Wreaths Across America website. “All throughout the year, Wreaths Across America works in a number of ways to show our veterans and their families that we will not forget, we will never forget.”
For the past three years, Gibbs has served as both the sponsorship group coordinator and the location coordinator for the Cullman City Cemetery, where the community’s participation in Wreaths Across America has grown steadily.
“I first heard about it when they were asking for wreath donations for the National Cemetery at Montevallo,” Gibbs shared. “So, I started buying some wreaths for the cemetery in memory of my father and my uncles.”
For Gibbs, the cause was deeply personal, for her family had a strong legacy of military service. “My father was a World War II veteran. He told a few stories, but he didn’t talk a lot about it,” she recalled. “When there was a PBS special about World War II, shortly before he passed away, I began to ask more questions about it and he began to tell me more about his experiences then.”
Her involvement deepened when the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an organization in which patriotism is central to its mission, encouraged local chapters to support Wreaths Across America. “The national organization of DAR became a corporate sponsor of Wreaths Across America. They urged each chapter to become a sponsor of it,” Gibbs said. “I have always admired veterans, and through DAR, we make it a priority to honor them as much as we can.”
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Cullman embraced the mission of Wreaths Across America as volunteers gathered at Cullman City Cemetery to honor the sacrifices of veterans by laying wreaths on their graves. Gibbs, alongside members of the local VFW, led the memorial service. VFW Chaplain Gary Rodgers opened with a prayer, followed by the presentation of colors by the Cullman Area Technology Academy JROTC Color Guard, commanded by Cadet 1st Lt. Zoey Hembree. The National Anthem was performed by Tommy Hutchins, son of Van Hutchins Jr., a recent inductee into the Cullman County Veterans Hall of Fame.
Gibbs began the ceremony with a powerful statement:
“Thank you all for being here today. This year at over 4,900 locations across the country at participating locations just like this one, there are millions of Americans gathering safely as one nation, to remember, honor and teach. We are all proud to be Americans, that live in a free society, made up of many people from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in many cemeteries across the nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we could live in freedom and without fear. We thank those who gave their lives so we could be free and we shall not forget you. We shall remember.
“Today we show a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who served and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
During the memorial, an honor guard presented arms as representatives from each military branch and service area, as well as the POW and MIA, stepped forward with ceremonial wreaths. These wreaths were laid at the center of the cemetery at the gravesite of Col. John G. Cullmann, the city’s namesake.
Mayor Woody Jacobs was also in attendance and shared a thank you for their efforts, saying, “It is an honor to see all these people today at this event. I love to participate in these events, to honor and remember those who sacrificed. On behalf of the City of Cullman and the City Council, thank y’all.”
Marc Thrailkill, representing various veterans groups in attendance, emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices of servicemen and women. “May we never forget the true cost of freedom, the American soldier. God bless America.”
“Taps” followed, played by Cliff Hatfield.
As the ceremony concluded, volunteers took up the solemn duty of laying wreaths at the graves of veterans. They were encouraged to speak each veteran’s name aloud as a way to honor his or her memory and legacy.
A few of the 1,020 handmade wreaths that now adorn the gravesites of fallen service members (Gauge Day)
After the ceremony, Gibbs reflected on the purpose of Wreaths Across America and why it is important to bring it to cities like Cullman:
“It’s to remind people that a strong defense is necessary for a free country. Veterans who served in the past and active military are the ones that ensure the defense of our country,” Gibbs stated. “I just think we need to remind people. That’s one of the objectives of Wreaths Across America. To remember the fallen, honor the ones serving and their families and teach the younger generations. Remember, honor and teach.”
Gibbs also noted the progress made over the years in covering graves with wreaths. “The first year we only did 225 wreaths. I knew it wouldn’t cover them all, but I didn’t think it would only cover such a small amount. Last year we did 812 wreaths and that wasn’t near enough and this year we did 1,020 wreaths and that’s not enough.”
To help ensure more graves are covered next year, Wreaths Across America is offering a special: for every wreath sponsored between now and Jan. 17, an additional wreath will be provided for free. This initiative will help the Cullman City Cemetery reach its goal of covering 1,100 graves in 2025.
Community members can support the effort by sponsoring wreaths or reaching out to Athelia Gibbs at 256-505-2040 or awgibbs65@gmail.com for more information.
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