Members of the Senate Republican Caucus were proud to take part recently in a national movement to pay tribute to military men and women who gave their lives for their country.
Senators Dave Lawson, R-Marydel, Colin Bonini, R-Dover South, and Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, joined other state lawmakers, veterans from World War II to the present, volunteers, members of the public, and local schoolchildren outside Legislative Hall Dec. 8 as the Delaware General Assembly hosted its first Wreaths Across America ceremony.
The event was part of a national, weeklong celebration in which wreaths were laid at the capitols of all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It culminated Dec. 13 at Arlington National Cemetery where wreaths were placed at all 230,000 gravesites.
The purpose of the program is to remember Americas fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve the nations freedoms.
These ceremonies are important to me because they pay tribute to those who didnt make it back home, said Lawson, a Vietnam veteran. Those of us who did make it back need to recognize them for paying that ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony at Legislative Hall included remarks from representatives of the Delaware Veterans Coalition, the Delaware National Guard, and the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. Wreaths were laid at three locations: the Dover Light Infantry Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Medal of Honor Memorial.
It was a very meaningful ceremony, and I hope this is the beginning of what becomes a great tradition here at Legislative Hall, Bonini said. Sometimes you forget that for over 200 years now young men and women have done extraordinary things for us, and its good to remember.
One aspect of the ceremony that stood out to Bonini and the others was the conspicuous presence of children. Several young students from Holy Cross Elementary School in Dover were seated in the front row, and some participated in the wreath-laying ceremonies. They got an invaluable lesson about the cost of freedom.
Its important to remember our fallen heroes and to honor those who serve and their families, said Pettyjohn. Its also a very important teaching moment for our children so they learn of the sacrifices of our veterans and their families to preserve our freedom.
Lawson says its important for younger generations to know their history, so as not to repeat it. As Ronald Reagan said, Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Ceremonies such as this are a great way for children to understand what sacrifices have been made to be able to live in a free society. It becomes a living history as opposed to just something in a book.
