When we decided to get involved with Wreaths Across America a few weeks ago, I had no idea it was going to involve so much emotion. This was one of the most humbling, inspiring, encouraging, refreshing, uplifting, and I ran out of ING words to describe the feelings! Totally awesome! I appreciate everyone who helped with this.

Flash and Ron picked up the wreaths Friday night at Erickson's Greenhouse in Brainerd (Pics 1-5). The second picture is Mykel, the one who made them all. He and his family stayed up until 1AM numerous nights to get them finished for us. We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to Mykel and Jim and everyone else involved in making them. They picked up 73 wreaths. The Patriot Guard donated $250 towards them and various others donated as well.

Due to borrowing my car to my son, I had no ride so Flash and Ron picked me up Saturday morning and we went to the cemetery. It was 22 degrees and overcast. We waited a bit, then Ray, Lynn, and Lorry (sp?) showed up from Ottertail (Pic 6, Lynn is the tall guy). They had a bunch of wreaths in the back of the Jeep. Then our Jim showed up, and David Swantek, director of the cemetery, got there. We went up to the buildings to get the boxes of wreaths that were donated by the Civil Air Patrol. There were a lot of boxes! I think there were 168. We drove back to where the ceremony was to be held and the guys unloaded the boxes, and the wreaths out of the jeep and truck. I was not much help working with 2 dislocated ribs! I understand I was an "effective" supervisor though! Since I wasn't much help, I had Ray and the other guys take me to the Canteen for the staging. While we were staging, a lady and two boys came in. She introduced herself, (Lord forgive me for forgetting her name) and she was a Blue Star Mom (Pic 43 and boys are both wearing Arctic Cat jackets) from Sauk Centre and had come to help! How special. Her daughter is active duty. John (Bemidji RC) and Char (John's wife) brought some wreaths too. We did the briefing at 10:30 AM then went to the cemetery.

As we were staging, the guys decided to put all the wreaths out around the flagpole. It was so beautiful when we got there! The wreaths were laid up and down the paths and around the circle twice. It was incredible! 3 weeks ago we stood guard on an honor mission for James Pace Jr. His fiance' Kay donated $100 for wreaths and asked that we place one on Jim's grave. I asked her to come to the cemetery and said we would stand with her. As we were setting the flagline, Kay and her family approached me and asked where they should stand. She had taken me up on my offer. (Pic 51) We set the flagline around the circle in keeping with the wreaths.

David Swantek started the ceremony with a moment of silence for every hero laid to rest there, and across the nation. We said the pledge, then one by one, a member of each of the five branches of the Armed forces, a Merchant Marine, and a former POW came forward and placed a wreath on the holder. As they did, each one stepped back and saluted. There were more than me there with tears in their eyes, and even more after they played taps. In that setting, surrounded by the flags flapping in the wind, the taps sounded so beautiful and melancholy, it was almost surreal. Norville came around and handed out WAA pins, which was really nice. I will wear mine proudly.

After the ceremony we visited with some of the people/public that attended. I spoke with a man and his wife. He was in a wheel chair. They were unable to get through the snow to place a wreath so I got the names and we placed one for them.

We all grabbed wreaths and headed over to the grave of James Pace Jr with Kay and her family. After a brief prayer, and a thank you to James, I laid the wreath. It was a true blessing to be able to do that for this family and it was me thanking them for the honor. Kay had also purchased 10 other wreaths so her and the family laid them on other graves.

I told everyone to spread out, pick a grave, read the inscription, have a moment of silence and contemplation for the life that had served, and lay the wreath. It was unbelievable the feelings that came from this small gesture. I observed our members with their hands on their hearts, and those that saluted, those with heads bowed, saying silent prayers for the familys and prayers of thanks for our freedoms. As I watched, I think I really understood, deep down, why we do what we do. It is for us, but not about us. I believe those of us in this organization joined, not only to make a difference, but to satisfy a longing in ourselves to make it right. I think some of us (I can speak for me) feel a small measure of guilt for taking for granted so many things, not just freedoms. We live in the greatest nation in the world and we are the most spoiled. I feel the need to give something back, to make up for my complaints, my disregard in the past for those who serve this nation, not just as military, but firefighters, police officers, politicians, doctors, teachers, preachers, even children. As our nation runs rampant with patriotism, we take more notice of those who are not patriotic, who won't fly a flag, who won't stand for what's right. I am so guilty of NOT seeing and taking more notice of those who DO! I was overcome with this thought standing at the grave of my friend Pat Vosen. He did so much for others, and I couldn't help but feel I had failed him. I have purposed now to take more notice, and less for granted.

Wreaths were placed on the graves of David Day, and Anthony McElveen, the KIA's since 2005 (pics103 &104), and the Formo's are Pam's (from Brainerd Sector) parents. We also placed wreaths for other members that purchased them and couldn't make it out there.

We went to the other side of the cemetery to place wreaths for one of our members parents and we came upon a set of graves that was really sad. A father was in one, and the other one marked 3 of his infant sons. The first two were twins, one died at birth, the other at 3 days old. Three years later the other one died at birth. We were all pretty quiet for a bit, then we laid a wreath on both sides of the infants and on the father's. What a lot of heartache this family experienced.

We then went to the place where the ashes are kept and laid the wreath for the family of the man in the wheelchair. David came out there and gave us a lesson in what the various crosses on the stones were. There are 36 different ones. He also thanked us and said since we had been to the cemetery so much in the last few weeks on missions that we should be on the payroll!

Everyone there thanked us for what we do. It was a huge "NO, thank YOU!!!" This was so much more than I thought it would be, and I am already planning next year. It was truly a blessing for all of us.

We went to the Canteen to debrief afterwards. Everyone said how much fun and how moving this was, What an awesome day! Thank you to all who participated!! Especially those of you who came from far away. John R., we appreciated your presence here. You do make a difference! God bless you all with a safe and Merry Christmas!

The first few pictures show John & Ron loading over 70 wreaths from the Brainerd Sector in Ron's truck the night before. Then off at 7:45 am to pick up Starr and deliver her and the wreaths to the Veterans Cemetery.

A note to the members; The photo's that are uploaded to the web have been reduced in size for display on a computer screen. If anyone would like any originals for printing I can send them via E-Mail or have prints made from the originals delivered directly to them.

Flash

(@) Pictures from mission

Respectfully Submitted
Starr Marshall
Brainerd RC
MN Patriot Guard/Patriot Guard Riders