BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Ruritan Club held its first annual Wreaths Across America ceremony to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom on Saturday afternoon.

The ceremony at New Perth Cemetery began with the moment of silence to remember the fallen, prisoners of war, and those missing in action, as well as to honor those who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The South Iredell High School MCJROTC drill team, under the direction of Master Sergeant Michael Fisher, presented the colors, followed by senior patrol leader Evan Johnson of Scout Troop 377 leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Meaghan Chavez’s singing the National Anthem.

Wreaths Across America Committee Chair Michelle Bond welcomed the crowd of about 100 to the ceremony, noting that similar commemorations were taking place in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and at 26 American cemeteries overseas to honor and remember American veteran heroes wherever they rest.

More than 5,600 participating locations and millions of Americans gathered on Saturday as one nation to remember, honor, and teach and to lay two million wreaths on veterans’ graves.

“We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people from many walks of life,” said Bond.

“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us, and in cemeteries throughout this nation, are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear. We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do. We are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing, and we have the right to succeed and the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue.”

Quoting Ronald Reagan, Bond reminded the audience that “freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was like in the United States when we were free.”

Veterans from the military branches, accompanied by a pair of MCJROTC cadets, next placed wreaths in honor of their comrades on stands, built by Scout Troop 377 volunteers, and then saluted in respect.

After a brief prayer, retired U.S. Navy Lt. Barry Fosberg spoke about his service on a destroyer, a helicopter carrier, and at a shipyard in Mississippi.

Fosberg said that service must be the predecessor of freedom because “freedom is not free. People, a lot of them in uniforms, give up some of their freedom for the rest of us,” including those first responders and law enforcement officers who serve locally.

“Every day, someone is in service, helping to protect and pay for your freedom.”

“When you are free, you have choices. We choose where we live, we choose who we socialize with, and we choose our religion.”

Fosberg noted our freedom to express opinions, to criticize government leaders, and to choose our leaders through the voting process.

Americans are free to make many choices. “You own them. Your goal is to live consciously so that the choices you make lead you to be the best you can be,” concluded Fosberg.

Volunteers next laid a wreath at each veteran’s gravestone, already marked by flags, and then paused to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to express gratitude for his or her service to America.

Bond reminded the audience to remember the veterans’ lives, not their deaths, as they placed each wreath as a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.

Family members were given wreaths first to place on their relatives’ graves before volunteers fanned out to place the wreathes throughout the cemetery. The wreaths will be on display until January 10.

After the wreaths were placed, the MCJROTC color guard retired the colors as Zachary Seaman bugled a moving rendition of “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.

Bond thanked Jeremy Shaw and SoundWave for providing music and sound for the ceremony and to Troutman Fire and Rescue for bringing a fire engine to display the department’s giant flag.

Bond also expressed Troutman Ruritan’s gratitude for the Armed Service members (Steve Eland – US Army, MSTG Michael Fisher – US Marine Corps, John Lagenbach – US Navy, Brett Humphrey – US Air Force, Jennifer Morton – Army National Guard, Don Smith – US Coast Guard) who placed wreathes to remember their fellow service members and for the community volunteers who laid wreathes and paused remember each veteran’s life and service.

Bond also recognized the local businesses helping to support the event, including Kat’s Patch, Madd Monkey Garage, Pat’s Place Too, Pellegrino’s Trattoria, Perth Mini Mart/Bait and Tackle, Troutman Baking Company, Your Coffee Place, Burritos and Ribs, The Cedar Stump Pub, Dixie Fish and Chicken, Guys and Dolls Hair Design, and Hash Tags.

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