Wreath Ceremony - Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery

by Kathleen Watson
(Richmond, California, USA)

Wreath laying ended around 10:30 a.m. PT

On a crisp, clear, cold day in Dixon California an estimated 450 people attended the first annual Wreaths Across America program orchestrated by Anne Loucks DAR Chapter members led by Second Vice Regent and ceremony Coordinator Sally Holcombe.

The program began with ten minutes of bagpiping by Jim Spiva. Master of Ceremonies, Marston Watson opened the program promptly at 9:00 a.m. (to coordinate with ceremonies happening in Arlington National Cemetery and other locations across America). Marston is past State President of the California Society Sons of the American Revolution. In attendance were members of the Sacramento Chapter SAR dressed in revolutionary war garb.

Following opening remarks by Dean Moline,Director, Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, Barbara Johnson, Regent, Anne Loucks DAR Chapter and Nancy Alexander, Vice President General NSDAR, wreaths representing U.S. Military branches were placed around the flagpole by the following veterans:

Larry Clark-United States Army
Michael Hagerman-United State Navy
Jesse Branch-United State Marine Corps
Alfonso DeJesus-United States Air Force
Gary riddle-United States Coast Guard
Robert Ulrich-United State Merchant Marine
Members of Boy Scout Troop #633, Rancho Murieta laid a wreath in honor of the 93,852 United States Servicement from all branches of the service whose last know status was either Prisoner of War or Missing Action.

Representing Daughters of the American Revolution were First Vice Regent Sally Holcombe and Second Vice Regent Kathleen Watson who laid a wreath in memory of the Patriot Ancestors.

Following this portion of the event, Jim Harris, Chairman of the Sacramento Valley VA National Support Committee introduced Dawn LaBar, Field Representative for District 8 Assemblywoman, Lois Wolk, Roxanne Lindsay, Field Representative for District 15 Assemblyman, Guy Houston, Tony Wong, Field Representative for State Senator Michael Michado, District 5 and Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.) Michael Reagan, Chairman, Solano County Board of Supervisors for additional remarks.

At the conclusion of Taps and retiring of the Colors, members of the Civil Air Patrol laid wreaths in the first row of the cemetery which was followed by an invitation of all in attendance to participate in laying the remaining wreaths.