Morgenland Church, Leather Corner Post, Orefield, had its second Wreaths Across America Remembrance Ceremony Dec. 13.

The ceremony was introduced to Morgenland when church members Carol and Charlie Resh, of Lowhill Township, lost their son, Capt. Mark Resh, on Jan 28, 2007.

Assigned to the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas, Resh died of wounds sustained when his helicopter crashed during combat operations in Najaf, Iraq.

In 2012, Carol Resh, a Gold Star Mother, asked Morgenland to donate to the Wreaths Across America program at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Allentown.

After members of Morgenland experienced the powerful ceremony, they unanimously decided to have Morgenland Church participate in the wreath program.

Members of Morgenland Church's 2015 confirmation class, Cub Scout Pack 588 of New Tripoli, Macungie 4-H Club and Morgenland Church Choir joined American Legion Allen O. Delke Post 16, Slatington, to recognize veterans across the United States.

Debbie Arner led an emotional introduction, bringing many in the audience to tears.

"The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price," she said. "Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who have lost their lives so we can live in freedom and without fear."

Following the opening remarks, the church choir led the singing of a tribute song for each branch of the U.S. military.

The "Caisson Song" was sung for the Army; the "Marine' Hymn" for the Marines; "Anchors Aweigh" for the Navy; and the "U.S. Air Force" for the Air Force.

Veterans were asked to stand to represent their branch of military service during the tribute songs.

The remainder of the ceremony took place in Morgenland Cemetery, where 85 veterans, dating back to 1812, are buried.

American Legion Allen O. Delke Post 16 led the procession out of the church to the cemetery.

The colors were presented by American Legion Allen O. Delke Post 16, followed by a 21-gun salute. Bugler Jesse Troxell played taps.

Six wreaths were presented in remembrance of those who served in the U.S Army, Marine Corps., Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines.

A seventh wreath was laid in honor of the 93,129 American servicemen and women whose last known status is either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

Barry Werley, Region 2 Sectional Director of Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball, asked the youth of Cub Scout Pack 588, Morgenland confirmation class and Macungie 4-H Club to present a "Stars for our Troops" star to each of the veterans participating in the ceremony, thanking them for their service.

Wreaths were then placed at each of the 85 veteran graves by family members and participants.