Wreaths Across America events highlight sacrifices of veterans

PARIS, Pa. -- People gathered Saturday in cemeteries across America on Saturday to remember those who have served their nation.

The tributes are part of the annual Wreaths Across America program, whose mission is to remember and honor those who have served in the armed forces, and teach those living about their sacrifice. A dream of a 12-year-old boy in the early 1990s to honor veterans, starting with an area of Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., has spread to more than 2,000 cemeteries, where, each December, wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans.

Among those sites participating, Saturday, was Paris Cemetery in Paris, Pa., where area residents placed approximately 250 wreaths on graves dating back to the American Revolution.

"The freedoms we enjoy did not come without a price," Patty Rhoades, local coordinator, said, noting the importance of remembering those who have been a part of the military, throughout the nation's history.

Rhoades encouraged those gathered not to think only of the graves, but also the people and their stories.

"We are gathered here, not to remember their deaths, but to remember their lives," she said.

Of particular note in Paris Cemetery is the grave of Uriah H. Brown, who served during the Civil War and is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Members of the American Legion Post 10 Honor Guard, including retired U.S. Marine Gabriel Arlia, placed the wreath on Brown's grave.

Members of the Fort Steuben Daughters of the American Revolution placed wreaths at the graves of Capt. John Goorley and Lt. William Ledley, who served during the Revolution.

Rhoades also noted a grave of a soldier from the Spanish-American War.

Local services also were held in New Cumberland, Steubenville, Wintersville, Unionport and Bloomingdale, as well as the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County, Pa.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)