On a beautiful Saturday in December 2023, at the National Cemetery in Wilmington, NC the community stepped out to Remember and Honor our Veterans. LTC Rick de Moya US Army (Ret.) stated, “Today, we are gathered to remember, honor and teach that the freedoms that we enjoy today have not come without a price.”
Every year the Wreaths Across America leads a national initiative to honor veteran’s grave site by placing a wreath on each grave in all the National Cemeteries’. The largest crowd of People remembered of all ages from all over the Coastal Carolina area showed up to place the wreaths. During the months prior area organization, lead be the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post #68 of Leland, NC (ncpost68.org) in addition to many other local organizations and businesses conducted a drive to obtain wreaths to cover the 5,127 gravesites. This year their combined efforts were able to obtain 4,700 wreaths. (wreathsacrossamerica.org)
The event opening ceremony started at 1200 noon. LTC Rick de Moya lead the event from the podium. He stated, “It was an honored to have General Daniel Allyn. US Army (Ret.) as our keynote speaker”. Opening with the New Hanover Sherriff’s Honor Guard presenting the colors and patriotic music were an outstanding kickoff to the afternoon. Followed by remarks and recognition of honored guests: the American Gold Star Mothers; Blue Star Mothers of America, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman, NHC Commissioner Vice Chair LeAnn Pierce, along with Commissioners Rod Zapple, Johnathan Barfield Jr. and Dan Scalise.
Wreaths were presented for each branch of the services, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Civil Air Patrol Cadets. The local Scout troops lead by Troop 747 of Leland assisted with setting up the event along with other area citizen groups.
The most heart warming aspect of this event was the placing of the wreaths on each individual gravesite by all of the people in attendance from our community. As they laid the wreath, they read out loud the name of the deceased veteran. It was a beautiful event on a beautiful day!
(Above photo L to R: Leland Mayor Bozman, Gen. Daniel Allyn, Team Lead Penwell).