MEDICAL LAKE — Over 250 people braved freezing temperatures and solid gray skies to pay tribute to veterans interned at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery by laying over 2,000 wreaths during a Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.
While a few dignitaries were seated inside the cemetery’s committal shelter, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the bulk of attendees endured the cold outside to listen to speakers and observe a ceremonial wreath placement by representatives of each branch of the U.S. armed forces and the Merchant Marines.
Chief Petty Officer Dick Grewelle, now in his 90s and bent with age, who participated in the D-Day invasion of the Normandy coast in June 1944, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, laid the wreath representing the Navy.
A national wreath and a wreath representing POW/MIAs were also ceremoniously hung.
After a rifle salute by members of the U.S. Air Force 92nd Air Refueling Wing, and the playing of taps by Lt. Col. Phil Kowzan, attendees of all ages — civilian, retired and active military — spread out across the cemetery to lay wreaths on veterans’ headstones.
Wreaths Across America started as annual tribute at Arlington National Cemetery, but later spread to cemeteries across the country.
In 2014 the national non-profit organization’s volunteers helped lay over 700,000 wreaths at 1,000 locations across the U.S.
Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].
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