Wreaths Across America held Saturday Dec. 12, 2015

Top two photos courtesy of Mark Erickson

First one on Saturday for the Wreaths Across America ceremony.

The second on Saturday are wreaths for presentation.

Article and slideshow photos by Mary Alice Murphy

After snow had fallen to grace the wreaths on 2,079 graves at Fort Bayard National Cemetery and before the high winds began, people gathered to honor veterans for Wreaths Across America.

With the sun going in and out of clouds, on a chilly morning, Jim Zawacki of the Silver City-Bayard VFW Post 3347 served as master of ceremonies.

"In this 2015 Wreaths Across America, we remember and honor all our veterans," Zawacki said. "The first year, we had 40-60 wreaths adorning the graves. In 2012, we had 567; in 2013, 1004; in 2014, 1755; and this year, 2,079. We thank the more than 400 organizations, individuals and families who made this possible."

George Morrison of the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 posted the American Flag.

Marine Leonard Pritikin led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, just before the Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton, sang the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The featured speakers were veterans Robert Lopez and his wife, Danna.

"We remember and honor those who have fallen, and those who have served and serve today," Robert Lopez said. "We must teach future generations to be patriots. We must keep up with the remembering, honoring and teaching. We keep the history of the past alive with the present.

"American has different colors, different races, different religions, but true Americans will protect our country," he continued. "Serving is an honor and a privilege. In service, we have learned the core values of our nations. I say every veteran is a member of the Greatest Generation. Freedoms are not free; they are earned."

"We remember the almost 5,000 who lie here," Danna Lopez said. "We are responsible to pass on what these veterans gave for our country. If not for our first patriots, we would not have the freedoms they gained for us. We have prospered under the banner of freedom. It is also incumbent upon us to honor these fallen heroes that lie here and their sacrifice on our behalf.

"We teach children to emulate celebrities and athletes," she continued, "but we fail to teach them about the greatest heroes who lie here. We have failed to pass on the true legacy of our veterans. Each of these headstones marks those who held the same tenets as our greatest political leaders.

"As President Ronald Reagan said: 'Freedom is but one generation away from extinction,'" Danna Lopez quoted. "We must teach values and virtues every day. The flag does not fly because of the wind, but because of the last breath of every veteran. Remember their loyalty; honor their sacrifice; teach their love."

Zawacki said: "Our nation was founded on the values of freedom, justice and equality. It shines as a beacon of liberty. We thank those who gave their ultimate. Today, we show the nation a day of unity across America."

Next came the laying of wreaths: Army, Tip Cowan; Marine Corps, Marc MacDonald; Navy, Luis Montenegro; Air Force, Cliff Tavernier; Coast Guard, Terry Cline; Merchant Marines, Debbie Root; POW/MIA, Damian Martinez; soldiers buried at Fort Bayard, Dr. John Bell of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society; and Medical Corps and US Nurses Corps members, who served at Fort Bayard, Cecilia Bell of FBHPS.

Wooton said every song written has verses that the author wanted sung, so the Hi Lo Silvers sang all four verses of "America, the Beautiful."

Zawacki asked everyone to visit a grave, write down the name and research that veteran on the Internet, to better understand those who served and lie at Fort Bayard.

"Thank you to Girl Scouts Troop 834, for handing out programs; to the officers of the Marine Corps League Detachment; the VFW and auxiliary; Wooton and the Hi Lo Silvers; the Tyrone Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department; and all those who presented and laid wreaths," Zawacki said. "Thanks go to Connie Zawacki for designing and creating the program. We regret any errors or omissions."

"A huge thank you to all of you for attending," he said.

"And most important, we need to recognize the director of this effort, Gold Star Mother, Mary Cowan, and her committee," Zawacki said.

"Thanks to my committee," Cowan said. "We held five meetings to get this job done and to all those who came out yesterday (Friday, Dec. 11) to lay the wreaths."

Marine Richard "Cos" Erwin, Jr. played Taps to end the ceremony.