Fulton County Ohio Media

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On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the noon hour in Swanton Cemetery on Main Street for a ceremony called Wreaths Across America.  The mission of Wreaths Across America is simply stated, “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.” The ceremony began with a Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem wonderfully performed by Dawn Collins.

Organized by the members of the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 and chaired by Legionnaire John Schmidt (Retired Army), monetary donations were gathered starting months ago to purchase a wreath for every former military veteran who was laid to rest in the one of the Village’s two cemeteries, including St. Richard’s Cemetery on Dodge Street.  On this day, December 16, 2023, dozens of volunteers in Swanton joined the more than two million volunteers and supporters who gathered to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.  Swanton volunteers, which, like the men and women they honored, were from all walks of life and placed wreaths at more than 700 gravesites.

Following opening remarks by Mr. Schmidt, specific wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States military, Army, Marine Corp, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard and the more than 93,000 service members whose last known status was either Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).  When the last specific wreath had been laid, John continued with his remarks.

“We encourage every volunteer here today to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say that veteran’s name, speak the name and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country.  That’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive.  Remember we are not here to decorate graves.  We are here to remember not their deaths but their lives.  Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.  These wreaths symbolize our honor to those that served or are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure the sacrifices every day on our behalf.  To our children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday, you may have to pay yourselves.  As a nation, standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and in justice.  And thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that,” he said.

Swanton resident and Swanton High School graduate, Class of 1994, Master Sergeant David Harrison of the 180^th Tactical Fighter Wing was introduced and spoke next.  In his speech, the 27-year military veteran quoted our 40^th president, Ronald Reagan.  “Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom for they suffered the scars of war.  We can offer no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us,” said President Reagan.  MSgt Harrison continued, “Today with a small act we are doing just that.  Today we come together, community members, young and old, and volunteers, here at the Swanton Cemetery to fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America.  To remember and honor our servicemen and women as we continue to teach and inspire our youth by helping them better understand the value of their freedom and the importance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed to protect those freedoms.”

At the end of Master Sergeant Harrison’s speech, the color guard was ordered to present the colors and the day, the bittersweet moment and the reason that brought us all together, was beautifully and emotionally represented when Rick Maynhart, Commander of the Swanton American Legion, brilliantly performed “Taps” on his bugle. 

When the ceremony ended, the volunteers fanned out across the cemetery to carry out their duty.  Once the final wreath was laid, two school buses, one from Springfield and one from Swanton, transported the volunteers to St. Richard’s Cemetery to complete the mission.

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Specific Wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States Military