Once again, just like last year, on a cold and cloudy day Saturday in December; a strong, solid crowd came to Danville National Cemetery on the grounds of VA Illiana Health Care for Wreaths Across America. Scott Eisenhauer served as emcee; and State Rep Brandun Schweizer served as guest speaker, introduced by State Senator Paul Faraci. The honorary wreaths were announced one by one, followed by volunteers laying wreaths at gravesites afterwards.
For local organizer Tammy Williams, one of the greatest things was seeing all the young people involved.
AUDIO: I love that we have school groups, we have girl scouts, boy scouts; I want to make sure that the kids in the next generation know that this is what we need to do.
State Senator Paul Faraci (1st picture) introduces guest speaker State Rep Brandun Schweizer (3rd picture).
One group of youngsters in attendance to help again this year was the Future Farmers of American (FFA) chapter from Salt Fork High School. Isaak Bemis is a junior at Salt Fork.
AUDIO: It’s a good way to honor the Veterans, and kind of say thank you to the ones that we can’t speak to. It’s a good think to do around Christmas time.
Tammy Williams also said afterwards that now it’s time to start all over, and plan for next year’s Wreaths Across America.
Scenes from Friday morning’s escort of the wreaths on to the grounds of Danville National Cemetery (photos by Jennifer Bailey).
