Wreaths Across America remembers Osceola’s deceased veterans

  • Veterans showed the next generation the Wreaths Across America’s goal to Remember, Honor, Teach. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
    Veterans showed the next generation the Wreaths Across America’s goal to Remember, Honor, Teach. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
  • Members of local Civil War family remembrance groups, in period dress, place a wreath on the grave of Union veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Amzi D. Harmon. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
    Members of local Civil War family remembrance groups, in period dress, place a wreath on the grave of Union veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Amzi D. Harmon. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD

    Each year across America, on the second Saturday before Christmas, veterans organizations, families, and concerned individuals come together to honor America’s deceased veterans by placing a remembrance wreath on veterans’ graves. In Osceola County, Wreaths Across America events were held Saturday at Kissimmee’s Rose Hill and St. Cloud’s Mount Peace cemeteries.

    At Rose Hill, over 850 wreaths were placed on all known veterans’ graves in the city-owned cemetery. This is the second year for the event, organized by Kissimmee’s American Legion Post 10, and held at 10 a.m. so as to not conflict with the Mount Peace ceremony, held annually since 2017.

    The Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard fired a 21gun salute and played “Taps” to open the solemn occasion. Cadets from Tohopekaliga High School’s Navy Junior ROTC were on hand to decorate graves, in addition to members from several other veterans organizations and dozens of volunteers.

    At noon, a second ceremony commenced at Mount Peace. Pulling double duty, as usual, the Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard opened the event by posting the colors. The national anthem was performed by Stacy Hobbs, who also sang a moving rendition of “American Soldier” by country music legend Toby Keith.

    Wreaths were then laid representing veterans from all six branches of the U.S. military and the Merchant Marine. A special wreath was also placed in honor of the 82,000 U.S. military members still unaccounted for from conflicts dating back to World War II.

    The guest speaker was Eric Davidson, CEO and Director of Veterans Affairs St. Cloud’s McCormick Research Institute, and an Army combat veteran. Among other programs, the McCormick Research Institute conducts equestrian therapy for veterans contending with PTSD.

    “After remembering the service and sacrifice of veterans, enjoy life and the freedoms gained by those who fought to protect and preserve them,” said Davidson.

    The Osceola County Veterans Council Honor Guard closed the ceremony with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.” Wreaths were then laid on veterans’ graves across the historic cemetery, with the help of volunteers from over 16 different organizations, including Boy Scout Troop 800.

    For more information about Wreath Across America see https://bit.ly/3TmzJOO.