On Saturday, Dec. 14, wreaths laid for fallen service members across America were also placed down in Demorest to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony was part of National Wreaths Across America Day – when more than two million volunteers and supporters gather to remember and honor the lives of veterans lost across the nation.
By 10 a.m., more than 50 people had gathered and watched as members of the Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720 sang songs of patriotism and local leaders described the sacrifice given by the men and women who’ve fallen defending the United States in times of war.
More than 75 fallen soldiers (some as far back as the Civil War) are buried at the Demorest Cemetery off Old Historic U.S. 441, where wreaths were laid in their honor Saturday.
Introduced by Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness, Georgia Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) spoke to the magnitude of that sacrifice – the more than 650,000 Americans that have laid down their lives for this nation since its founding.
“Today, we gather to remember, to reflect and to pay tribute to the brave men and women that have served in our nation’s military,” Anderson said. “This is more than just a ceremony. The wreaths we lay today symbolize the courage, sacrifice and commitment of every service member who answered the call to defend our freedoms. Each wreath represents not just a name on a stone, but a life – a story, a family, and a legacy of service.”
Anderson, who called that sacrifice “immeasurable,” stressed the need for greater attention to veterans through “action” at the state and national level.
“Today’s ceremony is a reminder that we must continue to support our veterans – not just through words but through action,” he said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that those who have served our country receive the care, respect and opportunities they deserve. Whether it’s healthcare, mental health service, or helping veterans transition back to civilian life, we must stand with them just as they stood for us.”
VFW Post 7720 Honor Guard Capt. Jim Morgan also described the symbolism and meaning of Saturday’s gathering.
“As we gather here today, we are not only honoring the memory of those who have served, but we also reaffirm our commitment to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten,” Morgan said. “Each of the brave men and women who stood in defense of this nation represents the unbreakable spirit of freedom that defines the United States of America.”
Scout Troops with Pack 5 (Clarkesville) and Pack 24 (Cornelia), who came together for the ceremony, then laid wreaths in single file before they saluted each one in honor of fallen service members.
After the ceremony, those in attendance laid a wreath at the headstone of every fallen soldier at the Demorest Cemetery.
