Group III Participates in Wreaths Across America

15 December 2006
Dallas, TX -   At 12 noon, Eastern Standard Time, on 14 Dec 2006, across the United States, simultaneous ceremonies honored those who have fallen in defense of our country. The Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol, participated in the Wreaths Across America program at a formal ceremony conducted at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.  

Generously donated by The Worcester Wreath Company, of Harrington, Maine, this nationwide program is an extension of the company’s original gesture to place wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, in 1992. On the 15^th anniversary of this patriotic donation, that was repeated on every intervening year, volunteers from all 50 States placed wreaths at National and State cemeteries in synchronized ceremonies. This time, at each cemetery, a member of each of the five military services – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard – placed a wreath in memory of all service members of that branch who served in defense of the country, all of them veterans laid to rest in Veterans Administration national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries across America.

The Civil Air Patrol was this event’s organizer, and the responsibility for the conduct of the ceremonies rested with the Group III Honor Guard – all of them CAP cadets. Individual participants were, from the Mesquite Black Sheep Composite Squadron, C/Capt Rebecca McKinney, 1^st Lt Opal McKinney, 2d Lt Terri Kleinmeier, C/A1C Tim Kleinmeier, C/MSgt Johanna Cohen, and 2d Lt Kelly Castillo; from the Red Oak Cadet Squadron, 2d Lt Sara Black; from the Waxahachie Talon Composite Squadron, C/CMSgt Tiffany Hamm, 1^st  Lt Johnnie Reed, and C/A1C Caleb Brown; and representing Texas Wing, Lt Col Nancy Smalley, Texas Wing Chaplain.

Ushers included Robert Cahill and his sons Brandon and Trevor, of the Royal Rangers, a Christian-based organization for young boys. C/Capt McKinney moderated the event.

Lt Col Smalley gave the invocation as a nearby church bell rang in the distance, coinciding with the moment of silence. The Group III Honor Guard –including C/MSgt Cohen, C/A1C Kleinmeier, C/CMSgt Hamm, and C/A1C Brown – posted the colors against a background of American flags held by 25 Patriot Guard Riders, who assist in military funerals to pay their respect to fallen soldiers as well as shield such events from protesters.

The formal recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed, after which representatives of all five branches of the military presented the wreaths, one by one, by order of precedence. The armed forces representatives were Spec James Atkins (Army), AT3 Lewis Paschal (Navy), Sgt Jerry Duncan (Marines), MSgt Michael Peterson (Air Force), and MK1 Cory Lockhart (Coast Guard).

Gary Poplin, a retired Navy CPO who worked with the Civil Air Patrol to help organize and conduct the ceremony, was the first one at the podium. His voice faltered when he read a poem by an anonymous writer about an individual who spent time to reflect on what all soldiers did for their country. Gerald Cowan, Past State Commander of Disabled American Veterans, spoke of the rigors of military life and the memory of those who fell. Jerry Murphee Jr., Vice Commander, Texas VFW, and Bob Roberts, Commander of the 1^st Division, Texas American Legion, rounded off the program. Love of country, self-sacrifice, camaraderie, freedom and volunteerism were themes visited by all.

Following the speakers, five members of the Lone Star Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America, fired three ceremonial rifle volleys, and Capt James Lucas, retired US Air Force, played taps. Afterwards, the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard retired the colors and Lt Col Smalley pronounced the closing prayer.

Before officially closing the ceremony, C/Capt McKinney encouraged those present to visit any fallen service person’s gravesite, honoring in that individual all those who have made the supreme sacrifice for America. McKinney also urged those who chose to do so to write down and research that person’s name, so as to better understand the contribution that service member made for the United States.

Rick Crabb, former Marine and local leader of the Patriot Guard Riders, said, “We have about 40,000 riders nationwide, attending the funeral services of fallen soldiers.” Glen Carlisle, also of the Patriot Guard Riders, said, “I was never in the service, but I lost an uncle – Robert Carlisle – on the USS Arizona; he’s still there.” Bob Roberts of the Texas American Legion thanked the Civil Air Patrol and Worcester Wreath Company for their involvement in organizing the event.

Gerald Cowan, referring to the cemetery, stated, “This is hallowed ground. This is a field of honor for those who served the country well.” Ed Bundrant, former Army and one of the participants who fired the three rifle volleys, said, “It is a privilege to pay tribute here”.

 

Members of the five branches of the military in column                  Lt Col Nancy Smalley, CAP Texas Wing Chaplain,
formation, before each one presents a wreath for his respective      gives the opening prayer.
branch.

Each member of the Patriot Guard Riders holds an America          Sgt Jerry Duncan, U.S. Marine Corps, slowly salutes
flag during the ceremony.                                                               after placing his wreath.

CPO Gary Poplin, retired Navy, reads a sorrowful poem.                CAP honor guards as they arrive to post the colors.

Capt James Lucas, retired Air Force, plays taps.                              Members of the Lone Star Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans

                                                                                                        of America, fire three ceremonial rifle volleys.