On National Wreaths Across America Day, ceremonies are carried out each December to “Remember, Honor and Teach” at Arlington National Cemetery and at roughly 4,200 other locations in the United States and abroad, including locally at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, Crestlawn Cemetery and Sebastian Municipal Cemetery.
“All these wreaths are paid for by local residents and businesses; there is no government money,” said Joe Crowley, who with wife Sue and Rick Lewis founded the local wreath ceremonies three years ago.
“I had done this in Massachusetts and when I moved here and wanted to volunteer to lay wreaths, I found out it wasn’t being done here,” Crowley explained. “The committee and all the people who lay wreaths are volunteers; this is our community.”
This year, 105 wreaths were placed on the Memorial Island cenotaphs and monuments, 1,200 wreaths at Crestlawn Cemetery and 350 wreaths at Sebastian Municipal Cemetery.
“It just was a very difficult fundraising year, but the community still did great,” said Crowley, noting they were short by some 500 wreaths. “We were able to raise enough money to keep this event going, and next year I’m positive we will have 100 percent coverage,” said Crowley. They would like next year to purchase 2,800 wreaths to expand to all cemeteries in the county.
Cynthia Ryan, executive assistant at the Indian River County Veterans Council, coordinated the ceremony, and her husband, IRCSO Detective Rob Ryan, a Marine veteran, led the presentations, which included the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and Vero Beach Police Department Honor Guard.
“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. In cemeteries throughout this nation, there are men and women that gave their lives so that we can live in freedom, without fear,” said Ryan. “We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you; we shall remember.”
As bagpiper Dave Owens played Amazing Grace, representatives of various branches of service placed wreaths on the Memorial Island monuments: Staff Sgt. Peterson, U.S. Army; IRCSO Dep. Ed Gast, Marine Corps; Robert Cheshire, U.S. Navy; Staff Sgt. Michelle Rispoli, U.S. Air Force; U.S. Army veteran John Palazzlo, U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Air Force Capt. Tad Woodhull, Merchant Marines; and IRSCO Dep. Villier, U.S. Army, on the monument honoring those whose last status was as POW/MIA.
“Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America. These live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces of our great nation, and to their families, who endure the sacrifices every day on our behalf,” said Ryan. “As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism hatred and injustice.”
Through Jan. 15, every donation toward one wreath will enable the purchase of two wreaths. To contribute, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org\FL0500.
Photos by: Brenda Ahearn
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- Members of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, from left, Kevin Jaworski, Fletcher McClellan, Ed Gast and Bob Sunkel. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- United States Navy Veteran Robert Cheshire carries a wreath to lay at the marker honoring all who served in the Navy at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Arturo Luna and members of the Vero Beach Police Department Honor Guard take part in the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Detail of one of the wreaths placed at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- From left, local Gold Star Families Diana D’Angelo, Mark Reynolds, Michelle Dale, Philip and Kathleen Canal, and Wanda Johnson gather at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Kiara Castor, a volunteer with the Fellsmere Boys and Girls club lays a wreath at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Nelson Colon, a former member of the United States Army Airborne lays a wreath at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. After placing the wreath Colon stood, saluted, and said, “Rest in peace, brother.” Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Michelle Dale, president of Indian River County American Gold Star Mothers, carries wreaths to lay at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Ed Gast of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office carries a wreath to lay at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Joe Crowley speaks at the opening of the Wreaths Across America event. This year marks the third annual event. Crowley and his wife Sue were instrumental in bringing Wreaths Across America to Vero Beach when they moved here. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Sean and Sandy McLaughlin of Pack 532 with Declan Martin, left, Alex van Dalen, and Andrew Moyer. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- The Vero Beach Police Department Honor Guard arrives at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary for the Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- The Vero Beach Police Department Honor Guard, left, and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard arrive at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary for the Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Dave Owens playing the bagpipes as people arrive at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary for the Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Kathleen Canal a member of a Gold Star Family, carries wreaths to lay at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Her husband Philip is the nephew of one of the honored dead memorialized on this island. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presents the Colors at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Detective Rob Ryan, a former United States Marine, speaks at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Vero Beach Mayor Robbie Brackett at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- United States Navy Veteran Robert Cheshire salutes after placing a wreath at the marker honoring all who served in the Navy at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Army Staff Sgt. Eldon Peterson carries a wreath to lay at the Wreaths Across America event on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary on Saturday, December 19. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
