Raymond Somerville salutes after placing a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
SAXONBURG — More than 100 volunteers and students paid tribute to fallen military service members Saturday, Dec. 14, at a Wreaths Across America ceremony.
The volunteers laid 542 wreaths on the graves of military members at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery following a ceremony. Service members whose last known status is prisoner of war or missing in action were remembered during the ceremony.
Myron Homiak places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The auxiliary of Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7376 organized the ceremony and provided a color guard, and members of the American Legion Post 683 in Cabot also participated.
Held across the nation annually on Dec. 14, Wreaths Across America stands on the slogan “Remember Honor Teach,” meaning remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The ceremony was a teaching moment for 22 students in the Knoch High School history club who attended with Brad Pflugh, high school history department chairman.
“The club is geared toward veterans,” Pflugh said.
He said he wanted the students who attended the ceremony to get a feeling for what veterans do and to feel the weight of the respect and honor bestowed on veterans during the service.
Club members worked with the VFW to help organize the ceremony, and they also work with the American Legion to place flags on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day, Pflugh said.
On Saturday, club members laid wreaths on veterans’ graves and then recited the veterans’ names, he said.
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
This was the second year that high school senior and history club member Olivia Offstein participated in the ceremony, which she said is a nice way to honor veterans.
“The ceremony was simple, but very meaningful,” Offstein said.
She said her father and uncle are graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army.
Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The ceremony began with the Rev. Douglas Dorsey of Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church giving the invocation followed by Nick Collins singing the national anthem.
In her opening remarks, Laura Thoma of the VFW Post 7376 Auxiliary, said Wreaths Across America ceremonies were held at 4,200 locations across the county.
“Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear,” Thoma said. “We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do. We are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing. And we have the right to succeed, and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue.”
Knoch High School students Henry Hoffman and Caden Hassler played taps and minister Jeanine Sanford of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Jefferson Township gave the benediction to close the ceremony.
Sean Whiting salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Jack Buckler, a Vietnam War veteran, places a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Myron Homiak salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Myron Homiak places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Jack O'Brien places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Space Force during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, straighten the ribbon on a wreath before placing it on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
An American Legion Post 683 member helps perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Deakin Nock, 8, places a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Deakin Nock, 8, places a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bill Rogers places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Merchant Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Jack O'Brien places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Space Force during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kevin Criswell Jr. places a ceremonial wreath in honor of those missing in action and prisoners of war during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Sean Whiting places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Kevin Criswell Jr. salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Army during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
An American Legion Post 683 member helps perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Lane Marshall places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Air Force during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Myron Homiak places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Navy during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Gordon Mainhart places a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Raymond Somerville places a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Gordon Mainhart salutes after placing a ceremonial wreath in honor of the U.S. Marines during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 and American Legion Post 683 members perform Honor Guard during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Jack Buckler, a Vietnam War veteran, takes a moment of silence after placing a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
An American Legion Post 683 member helps perform Honor Guard duties during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Brandon and Deakin Nock, 8, place a wreath on a veteran’s grave during a Wreaths Across America event at Saxonburg Memorial Cemetery hosted by Saxonburg VFW Auxiliary Post 7376 on Saturday, Dec. 14. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
