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Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard National Cemetery

My photo was taken the day after the ceremony because we have been for years trying to catch the wreaths at Fort Bayard with snow on them

Christin...
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My photo was taken the day after the ceremony because we have been for years trying to catch the wreaths at Fort Bayard with snow on them

Christine Steele of the Silver City Daily Press wrote:
It’s time for this year’s Wreaths Across America Day at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

The ceremony is to Remember, Honor, and Teach — Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve, including their families who sacrifice, and teach children the cost of freedoms.

Last year, more than 1.2 million wreaths were placed at 1,250 participating locations across the country and overseas, including Arlington National Cemetery, where the project started in 1992 after a Maine wreath company donated excess wreaths to be placed on graves. In 2005, a photo of hundreds of wreaths adorning snow-covered graves at the national cemetery went viral and the idea spread to national cemeteries across the country.

Grant County has been holding a Wreaths Across America ceremony since 2009, when El Paso Air Force veteran Ron Groves discovered that there wasn’t one at the national cemetery here. He had been involved with the ceremony at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and decided to start one here. Gold Star Mother Mary Cowan took it over in 2011 after Groves moved to Houston. Cowan lost her son, Chief Warrant Officer Aaron William Cowan, a 19-year member of the United States Army, who was killed in the line of duty during a helicopter crash in South Korea on Feb. 26, 2005.

That first year, just 35 wreaths adorned graves at Fort Bayard — the seven donated by the the Merrill Worcester family of Maine, one for each branch of the service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines — and one for POWs/ MIAs. The rest were purchased by local residents and businesses to be laid on gravestones.

Each year the number of sponsors and wreaths has grown. Last year, nearly 500 sponsors purchased more than 3,000 wreaths to be placed on graves by volunteers.

For every two $15 wreaths purchased, the company donates a third wreath to the cemetery. The goal of organizers has been to be able to provide a wreath for each of the 4,200 markers at Fort Bayard.

Cliff High School student Tatton Allsup raised more than $700 for Wreaths Across America as his senior school project. To raise the money, Allsup got folks to sponsor him during the 23rd annual Dick Walter Shoot last month. Sponsors paid $2 for each clay that he hit during the competition. But each time he missed a round, he lost $1. His donation will do to purchase wreaths to be placed on headstones at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

“[My shooting went well,” he said. “I was nervous, but it gave me a patriotic feeling and it’s going to a great cause.”

Cowan said she was thrilled with the donation.

“It is a pleasant surprise from someone who I have not heard about,” she said. “He has tremendous initiative and skills and I’m so pleased that someone helped honor veterans during the holiday season.”

To sponsor or order a wreath or wreaths to be placed on a loved one’s marker, or for more information, call Mary Cowan at 538-2626 or email cowanm@signalpeak.net.

The ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.


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5 Comments | Report
valeriemurchie-stolpe
 
valeriemurchie-stolpe December 31, 2017
What a great picture.
AmandaJayne
 
AmandaJayne January 25, 2018
This is an amazing tribute Ernesto , such a stunning sight to see, thank you for taking and sharing this photo .
trainwoman Platinum
 
trainwoman January 31, 2018
Cold and lonely....so sad
kathleenweetman
 
kathleenweetman February 05, 2018
Voted...k
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots March 03, 2018
Beautiful shot!
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