Pictures from Wreaths Across America-Florence cemetery

by Laurie Stokes
(Florence National Cemetery)

Dear visitors,

For pictures from this years service, please go to:
http://southernconnections.biz/waaimages2007/index.php

This years project dawned cold and windy. Some of our Patriot Guard escort had been up since before sun up and riding in to meet the scouts and the wreaths in Columbia, SC.

An escort was provided all along Interstate 20 and into Florence SC. What a site to see riders falling in from various on ramps along the interstate. The Florence county sheriff's dept picked up the escort at I-95 and we entered the cemetery with lights, sirens and some awe-struck boys.

Pulling into the cemetery, there were a few hundred volunteers and guests standing on a flag vigil to honor the men and women who have made the greatest sacrifice. The children (Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts) stood shoulder to shoulder with riders from various motorcycle clubs, such as the Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder, and the Christian Motorcyclists Association, and members of the various branches of the military. They held flags and saluted as the wreaths went by.

The service began and the children stood. As each wreath was presented a child, an active duty service person and a veteran escorted the wreath to a particular grave site. The children presented the wreath to the active duty member, who then presented it to the veteran. The veteran laid the wreath and the entire escort party saluted.

We closed our ceremony with a 21 gun slaute and the playing of Echo Taps. The buglers for Echo Taps had met each other about 30 minutes before the service began. They had never played together before. They played flawlessly. I cried.

After the laying of the 7 ceremonial wreaths, we invited the public to come and lay one of the 140 sponsored wreaths. All were placed with the respect and dignity so deserving.

On Christmas day, a woman whose daughter and husband who are both buried at the Florence Cemetery came out to spend time with her loved ones. She was happy to see that someone had remembered them. I am honored to be part of the group that has honored and will continue to honor the individuals interred at the Florence National Cemetery. Please join us on December 13, 2008 as we honor our heroes again. Sponsor a wreath. hold a flag, salute, show gratitude for those who have paid for your freedoms.

With Respect,

Laurie Stokes

http:southernconnections.biz/waaimages2007/index.php