December 19, 2023 |
Photo – Elk Mountain Cemetery – By Matt Copeland, Bigfoot99
In somber ceremonies over the weekend, American Legion members laid wreaths honoring fallen veterans in Carbon and Albany Counties.
On Saturday, wreaths were placed on the gravesites of veterans in Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Rock River.
Wreaths Across America is a national organization that honors fallen military service members by placing wreaths on their graves during the holiday season. Wreaths Across America provided 84 wreaths to northern Carbon County and western Albany County. This past Saturday, 49 of the wreaths were laid at the Elk Mountain Cemetery.
Around 30 people, mostly American Legion members, attended Saturday’s wreath laying. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray officiated the event. Secretary of State Gray said Wreaths Across America works to ensure fallen veterans aren’t forgotten.
Secretary Gray called for a moment of silence. Afterwards, Gray said veterans gave their lives to protect the freedoms that define America.
Secretary Gray said when he becomes overwhelmed at the state capital, he envisions the courageous Americans during Operation Overload. Gray said thinking about those brave young men gives him solace and strength.
Secretary Gray said American service men and woman protect freedom across the world. Gray thanked the veterans who were in attendance during Saturday’s wreath laying event.
Secretary Gray said our values are under attack, not only by foreign entities, but from within as well. Gray said we, as Americans, owe it to every fallen veteran to protect those values.
Quoting President Ronald Regan, Secretary Gray said we must remain vigilant. Gray said freedom can quickly be replaced with tyranny.
Following Secretary Gray’s speech, members of the American Legion laid wreaths representing the six branches of the American military. Afterwards, wreaths were placed on every veteran grave in the Elk Mountain Cemetery. Twenty-seven wreaths were laid at the Medicine Bow cemetery and eight were placed in the Rock River cemetery.
