VETERANS IN GALLATIN CITY CEMETERY TO BE HONORED BY GALLATIN COMMUNITY
Volunteers to Place 700 Wreaths on Veterans’ Graves as Part of Wreaths Across America National Event
Gallatin, TN –Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 11 a.m., Wreaths Across America will return to Gallatin for the tenth year to honor and remember lives of the Veterans laid to rest in the Gallatin City Cemetery. Seven hundred wreaths will be placed on the burial sites of Veterans after a short service.
In preparation for the event, volunteers placed flags on graves in the Gallatin City Cemetery marking those who had served in any branch of service from the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts. The following groups participated in identifying Veterans in the cemetery: Cub Scout Pack 425, and Boy Scout Troops 425, 2019 and 407.
The live wreaths are delivered by volunteer truckers. Tony Justice of Everhart Transportation, Inc. out of Greeneville, Tenn. arrived in Gallatin on Wednesday, December 14 as his first delivery stop. He is one of hundreds of drivers that help deliver pallets of wreaths to thousands of cemeteries across the nation at no charge. Justice said he and a group of other truckers had the opportunity to tour part of the 70,000-acre property where Wreaths Across America grows the trees for this annual project.
“I’m not a veteran, I just have mad respect for the way they lay their lives on the line for our freedom,” Justice said. “Really happy to be a part of this. This is my first year, and I’ll definitely be going back and doing it again, good Lord willing.”
Justice delivered 700 wreaths to the Gallatin City Cemetery on Wednesday.
Next on Justice’s delivery list is a cemetery by I-40 heading towards Highway 109, and his last stop will be a cemetery in Johnson City, Tenn.
Last December on National Wreaths Across America Day, approximately 2.4 million wreaths were placed at more than 3,100 cemeteries in all 50 U.S. states. Before laying the wreath during the ceremony, members of the public are encouraged to speak that Veteran's name aloud, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and reflect on that person and their life.
This year, the theme for the national ceremony is “Find a way to serve.” The organization’s inspiration for this year’s theme came from World War II-era women, notably represented by “Rosie the Riveter.” Wreaths Across America said the movement “encourages youth to get involved in their own communities to serve in small ways that can make a big impact.” The organization said it is revamping its educational material to help better inspire children in communities across the nation.
“You don’t have to be in military service to serve your community and country,” Wreaths Across America Executive Director Karen Worcester said. “Serving others, or being in service to others, gives purpose and I’ve seen first-hand from Gold Star Families to Veterans, how it can help people heal.”
For more information on Wreaths Across America in Gallatin, contact Angela Burnside at angela.burnside@gallatintn.gov or call 615-451-5961.
Video of 2022 Ceremony
https://youtube.com/watch?v=t8pRB4BQnlk&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Photos descriptions:
WAA Gallatin 1.jpg - Group of volunteers at the Gallatin City Cemetery.
WAA Gallatin 2.jpg - Child marking Veteran grave with American flag.
WAA Gallatin 3.jpg - Gallatin Public Works employees with Angela Burnside and driver Tony Justice.
WAA Gallatin 4.jpg - Volunteers placing flags next to the gravestones of Veterans.
