Third annual Wreaths Across America ceremony held Saturday morning

By PATRICIA STEELE, DAILY SUN

Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:03 AM EST

BUSHNELL —Christina Mason gave up the opportunity to sleep in Saturday morning, so she could be with her NJROTC unit to place green and red holiday wreaths at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

By 7:30 a.m., Mason, 17, senior chief petty officer in South Sumter High School’s NJROTC, members of her unit and Senior Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Jacobs were at the cemetery, where they spent more than two hours helping to place approximately 900 wreaths on grave sites.

“It’s early and it’s cold, but I wanted to be here to help place these wreaths. It was important to me,” Mason said. “I’m sure there are a lot of men and women buried here who felt they were just regular people doing their job, but to me they are heroes.”

Mason’s mother Kellie described the sight of the green and red wreaths against the white headstones in the early morning light as “beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Especially with the white frost on the ground to contrast with the green of the wreaths and the red bows.”

Kellie felt it was good for the young students to be a part of the event.

“It teaches them to respect and honor those that have given to our country,” Mason said.

The holiday wreath-laying ceremony brought people together from all over the state to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.

While Robert Douteur of Ocala, Donna and Raymond Powell of Citrus Springs and Teri McGinnis of Clearwater were placing wreaths on headstones at the Florida National Cemetery, thousands of other people were placing wreaths at national cemeteries and on ships around the world.

The third annual Wreaths Across America event began at 8 a.m. with volunteers placing wreaths on grave sites.

The actual ceremony began at 11:30 a.m. and similar ceremonies were occurring elsewhere, with wreaths being placed for members of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and for prisoners of war and those missing in action.

“This service came about through the combined efforts of the community and military organization,” Florida National Cemetery director Billy Murphy said. “It is a tremendous effort on everyone’s part.”

Approximately 92,000 veterans and their families are buried at Florida National Cemetery.

Wreaths were placed on 900 grave sites.

“In the future the goal is to have a wreath for each site,” Murphy said.

The Holiday Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Florida National Cemetery was hosted by the United States Military Vets M/C, North Florida State Chapter.

Mark Denico “T Bone,” sergeant at arms in the USMVMC, explained it was an honor for him to be able to remember those who served, especially those who gave their all for their country.

“It’s a feeling of overwhelming happiness to know there are people who care enough to be here to show respect to the fallen, especially the young people who were here today helping lay those wreaths,” Denico said.

Patricia Steele is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 7992, or patricia.steele@thevillagesmedia.com.