By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — Echoing across Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery and others across America Saturday were several solemn words … “Never forget … not forgotten.”

Volunteers by the hundreds joined family and loved ones Saturday for National Wreaths Across America Day at the Millsboro cemetery for a wreath placement ceremony in which each of the 4,800-plus veterans and family members interred there were honored with a wreath. It marked the third consecutive year that the final resting place for all veterans were blanketed with wreaths.

“We cannot thank you enough. God bless you all,” said Teresa Townsend, Wreaths Across America location coordinator for the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

“Thank you all for doing what you do, to make sure that every veteran hero here in our Millsboro Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery is honored with a wreath to blanket their gravesite for the holiday season.”

Overwhelming community support, evident Friday during the motorcycle escort that ushered the Perdue tractor-trailer packed with 3,528 wreaths, continued into Saturday’s event.

“This means a lot to see the event and be the event — and just that nobody is ever forgotten,” said Curtis Rauss. of Lewes, who served with the Navy and Marines from 1961 to 1968.

Barbara Deal and Barb Dewey, both residents of Plantation Lakes in Millsboro, were among the throng of volunteers.

“I’m here because of the veterans, because of the military. All through my family’s generations, somebody has served in the military. All the way back to the Revolutionary War,” said Ms. Deal.

Their specific wreath placement area was gravesites of 70 stillborn/premature infants and two nurses who were repatriated to U.S. soil.

“They were brought here because when military families passed away, they stayed wherever they were and buried,” said Ms. Dewey, whose father served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. “Then, they went and got them, and brought them back to American soil.”

Brig. Gen. Ken Haltom, State Judge Advocate for Delaware Air National Guard, reminded attendees of the day’s significance, which is to “celebrate the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that served and their families, and teach the generation the value of freedom. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free, and we shall not forget, we shall remember.”

“Today, more than ever, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and active-duty service members who have had and continue to fight to protect the innocent and the oppressed. Many of you here today have answered that call and served your country well,” said Brig. Gen. Haltom.

Brig. Gen. Haltom offered the following quote from former President Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

Ms. Townsend noted Saturday’s ceremony was more than wreath placement.

“Today is not only a day to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom, but to also say their name. When we place the remembrance wreaths at the gravesite today … after placing it, please say that veteran’s name. By saying their name, they are never forgotten. Take a moment to thank them for their service,” said Ms. Townsend.

“This comes from Wreaths Across America. They say we could quote for you the statistics of individuals buried around the country. But all you would have is a bunch of numbers,” said Ms. Townsend.

Instead, those placing wreaths were asked to take a moment at the gravesite and write down information on that person.

“And when you return home, research their name on the internet and find out all you can about that person,” said Ms. Townsend. “You will find they were real Americans — with families, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts, and uncles. They were, and are, more than just a statistic.”

Staff writer Glenn Rolfe can be reached at grolfe@iniusa.org.