For three years, the Air Products Information Technology team has organized a Wreaths Across America event at Resurrection Cemetery, 547 N. Krocks Road, Wescosville.

This year, the laying of wreaths took place Dec. 12.

Team members Margaret Albert, Tina Garavaglia, Michelle Greek, Kathy Haklar, Raymond Hayes, Katie Simpson, Beth Titchenal and Pat Zajac were happy to announce the goal was reached this year to provide a wreath for all 1,104 veterans in the cemetery.

Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit charity, was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath in Harrington, Maine.

With an excess of wreaths near the end of the holiday season, Morrill had a goal to place 5,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans. Volunteers are now helping to place more than 220,000 memorial wreaths.

Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-placing ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and veterans’ cemeteries in all 50 states.

At the Resurrection ceremony, members of Girl Scout Troops 6550 and 6700 welcomed volunteers and participants and provided assigned cemetery sections for volunteers.

More than 30 Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 1600 and Cub Scout Troop 1600 and their leaders participated in the ceremony and placed wreaths.

Members of The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Color Corps also participated in the ceremony.

Opening and closing remarks were provided by Albert.

“We are gathered here today at this memorial site and memorial sites all across America to remember that we are one nation with one flag,” Albert said. “We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people and races, from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price....

“Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you. We shall remember.”

To the veterans who attended the ceremony, Albert said, “Many of you today have served your country well. We are here today to say ‘Thank You’ and we are honored to know you. There are many men and women serving today in all branches of the military, here at home and in places far away. These men and women are part of the best-trained, best-equipped force in the world. We honor them and their families for the sacrifices they make each day to keep our country safe from terrorism, hatred and injustice that plague the world community.”

Parkland High School student Emma Perlman sang the national anthem and “God Bless America” during the ceremony. Each song was followed by applause.

Ceremonial wreaths, remembering those who served and are serving were placed by Andy Budraitis, U.S Army; Earl Marlatt, Marine Corps; Ken Stover, Navy; Vaughn Hoffman, Air Force; Virgil Hogue, Coast Guard; Kevin Burke, Merchant Marines; and Barry Morrell, in honor of the 93,129 servicemen and women from all branches of the service whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action.

Members of The Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Color Corps and Scouts presented arms at the laying of each wreath.

Representing Springhouse Middle School, students Emma Prehl and Sophie Gumina provided comments titled, “You Are Not Forgotten.”

According to Springhouse Principal Michelle Minotti, 50 wreaths were donated – one wreath per homeroom. The school chose “Wreaths Across America” as part of their “Take a Stand” program which focuses on anti-bullying and paying it forward.

Perlman and Gumina’s comments honored the lives of veterans found and those yet to be found– POW/MIA.

The two provided statistics for those Americans missing in action:

The Defense Department POW/MIA office recorded only six veterans missing from Iraq, due to a new tracking system.

·Cold War, 126 Americans missing or unaccounted for.

·Vietnam War, 1,741 Americans unaccounted for or still missing.

·Korean War, 7,829 Americans missing or unaccounted for.

·World War II, 73,515 Americans unaccounted for or missing.

As of three days ago, the Defense Department POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported the remains of a soldier who had been missing for 64 years, were found Prehl said.

“We hope all of you believe as strongly about honoring these people as we do,” Gumina said. “We pause today to reflect on the numbers of POW/MIA whose fate is still unknown.”

“We will not forget them,” Perlman said.

Scout Leader Bill Folk played “Taps” as part of the closing ceremony.

“The remembrance wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices everyday on our behalf,” Albert said. “To our children, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday, you may have to pay yourself. As a nation standing together, we can defreat terrorism, hatred and injustice. Thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.”