Wreaths Across America: Civil Air Patrol honors veterans
Laurie Swenson
Bemidji Pioneer - 12/14/2008

Wreaths Across America came to Bemidji Saturday to honor veterans.

The Civil Air Patrol’s Northland Composite Squadron hosted Wreaths Across America with a recognition ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery that included the laying of ceremonial wreaths honoring the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, U.S. Public Service, prisoners of war/missing in action and law enforcement officers who have served or are serving their country.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and ceremonies at cemeteries around the world.

Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit with the mission to remember, honor and teach, coordinates wreath projects across the United States and overseas.

Capt. Terrence Best, Civil Air Patrol squadron commander, gave remarks during the Bemidji ceremony.

“Today we show a united front of national unity all across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,” Best said.

Staff Sgt. Seth Martell laid the first holiday wreath on behalf of those who served and are serving in the U.S. Army. He was followed by Chaplain Walter James, representing the U.S. Navy; Tom Stinar, representing the U.S. Marine Corps; Airman Rob Sandberg, representing the U.S. Air Force; Donald Drusch, representing U.S. Coast Guard; Cmdr. Robert Saddoris, representing the U.S. Merchant Marine; Lt. Junior Guard Megan Arndt, representing the U.S. Public Health Service; Civil Air Patrol Cadet, 1st Lt. Ethan Helgager, representing members of all branches of the service whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action; and Beltrami County Sheriff Phil Hodapp, representing law enforcement officers who have served or are serving.

“Our goal was to honor the veterans, teach our young people to remember, encourage our active duty members that are here, and provide meaningful service to the community,” said Capt. Robin Helgager, deputy commander.

After the ceremony, cadets placed purchased wreaths at graves and rendered salutes.

Best told the cadets to take a moment to visit a gravesite, write down information on the person buried there, and research the name.

“You will find they were real Americans with families — mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles,” he said. “They were and are more than a statistic.”

Ellie