Group lays wreaths on graves of veterans

VERNON — The smell of pines. Poignant tones from a lone bagpiper, standing on a snowy perch - in falling rain.
During the “Wreaths Across America Ceremony,” Sunday, Dec. 18, young students helped the Vernon community remember their veterans, who served and sacrificed for America.
“Wreaths Across America's” mission is to: “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach our children the value of freedom.”
At the ceremony, branches of the military marched forward and presented wreaths to honor 200 veterans interred in Glenwood Cemetery: SSG Charles M. Van Blarcom honored the U.S. Army; Colonel Anthony E. Lanza honored the U.S. Marine Corps; Lieutenant Mitch Ellicott honored the U.S. Navy; John Schnackenberg honored the U.S. Air Force; Rand Reed honored the Coast Guard; Keith Haltner honored the Merchant Marines; and SFC Fernando CovaGomez honored Prisoners of War Missing in Action (POW MIA.)
Others who helped remember were: the Sussex County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard, posting the American Flag and POW MIA flag; Christopher Ploch, Ethan Kimble, Katie Owens, and Elizabetta Bracer, who sang the National Anthem with beautiful clear “a cappella” tones; Boy Scout Troops 283 and 912, who led participants in the “Pledge of Allegiance;” and Dawn Basso's Language Arts Classes, who recited the “American's Creed.”
The Girl Scouts provided bagels and hot chocolate before the ceremony began.
Dignitaries, Sussex County Freeholder George Graham and Vernon Mayor Harry Shortway, reminded participants of the cost of a free society and honored the unselfish sacrifices of America's military.
Co-organizer Michael Bocech reminded participants, “If you see a veteran or active duty member of the armed services, take a moment to say, 'Thank you.'"
He added, “To our children, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free. They have come with a cost.”
Ian Donovan, Vernon Township High School student, played taps, reverberating throughout the valley and Appalachian foothills.
Craig Wallace, former U.S. Marine, then played “Amazing Grace,” on his bagpipe. The music flowed over the crowd as they picked up wreaths to place on gravestones.
Thanks to the tireless organizational skills of Justine Van Blarcom and Bocech for the third year in a row, the community placed 200 fresh, green wreaths, with red bows, on the gravestones of veterans.
Bocech also reviewed the history of how wreathsacrossamerica.org started. In 1992, when Morrill Worcester's company had a 5,000 wreath surplus, he placed them on graves in Arlington Cemetery.
From Arlington to VernonAfter the ceremony, 9-year-old Girl Scout, Olivia, walked up one of the slushy, snowy hills, to place two wreaths. Wallace continued playing on his bagpipe, “God Bless America. Land that I love....My home sweet home.”
On that same hill, Colonel Lanza walked with his daughters and niece to find veterans' graves to lay wreaths. He taught them how to find the circular, service medallion which indicated a fellow soldier.
Still in Glenwood Cemetery, mother Eileen was so proud of son, Joe White, who had carried the POW MIA flag during the ceremony. White had fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In another corner, Barbara Cuccinello remembered her husband who passed away six years ago. He served in the navy.
And the rain kept falling.