Ceremony pays tribute to veterans
Lucy Klimko was one of thousands of volunteers to place wreaths Saturday at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
More than 9,100 wreaths were laid at the headstones of veterans interred in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Ceremonies took place simultaneously across the nation Saturday to honor veterans.
BRIDGEVILLE – After carefully placing a wreath at a white headstone, Lucy Klimko stood to salute the veteran buried beneath her before moving on to place another.
The Indiana Township resident has participated in the ceremony since her father was laid to rest in Cemetery of the Alleghenies four years ago, but this year was especially poignant.
Klimko’s son, Samuel, was just sworn into the U.S. Army Thursday.
“We have no idea the sacrifice that these soldiers have made for our freedom and our safety. It’s an honor to put a wreath at every gravesite, and I’m grateful for that opportunity,” Klimko said. “It is hallowed ground, and you can feel that when you’re here.”
Every December, National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies are held simultaneously at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,100 other locations in every state and abroad.
Volunteers are encouraged to say the veteran’s name aloud as they place the wreaths, to help keep their memory alive. This year, more than 9,100 wreaths adorned with red bows were placed, enough for every veteran interred in the cemetery.
Because of freezing rain overnight, the ceremony was delayed by an hour so crews could treat roads and sidewalks. Despite conditions, thousands of volunteers fanned out across the 292-acre national cemetery.
“This is the spirit of Western Pennsylvania, so thank you,” said Ronald Hestdalen, director of National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
“And I know there are people from Ohio here, and West Virginia, and I’m not forgetting you. It’s a nation that pays tribute to our veterans.”
Despite the icy roads, Tina Harper of Allison Park didn’t consider skipping the ceremony. She has been placing wreaths for a decade, and she, her husband and their three children made it a family tradition.
“It’s very special, and we owe everything to the people in this cemetery,” she said. “The kids got up and said, ‘When are we going?’ It’s something we do every year.”
Hestdalen, who asked volunteers to return at 8 a.m. Feb. 4 to help remove the wreaths, said the event is actually a year-long project with groups and individuals working to raise money to purchase the wreaths.
“It’s a pretty amazing undertaking, for sure,” he said.