Steuben County – Last year on December 15, complete silence fell over a crowd of more than one thousand people at the Bath National Cemetery as veterans and volunteers bowed their heads to honor past and present members of the United States Armed Forces. Among the throng were dozens of CSEA veterans and members ready and willing to show support for the national effort to recognize our military forces, many who traveled more than one hundred miles to volunteer on a cold and damp winter morning.
The Wreaths Across America effort is anchored by several wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. The mission of the event is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach younger generations the value of freedom.
CSEA Western Region President Bob Pyjas said last year was the first time our CSEA family got involved in the program and it left an inedible impression on many who participated. He said, “When we heard about the program last year, there was no doubt we wanted to be part of it. It is a terrific way to honor our veterans past and present. I am so proud of our CSEA membership for volunteering their time and effort. To be part of something like this is truly a humbling experience.”
The Wreaths Across America project started in Maine in 1992 when the family who owned the Worcester Wreath Company found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. They realized they had an opportunity to honor our country’s veterans and arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at the Washington Arlington National Cemetery in one of the older sections of the cemetery.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, December 14. If you would like to attend or participate this year, volunteers are encouraged to contact the Western Region Amherst Office before the event date by calling 716-691-6555. Please plan on arriving before 11:30a. The cemetery address is San Juan Ave, Bath, NY 14810. The official program will begin at Noon and the wreath laying portion of the event will immediately follow. CSEA contacts for this event are Western Region Veterans Committee Chair Amy Owczarczak and Bob Pyjas.
The Bath VA Medical Center, located approximately 80 miles south of Rochester, was established in 1877 as the New York State Soldiers Home. It includes the National Cemetery which was established in 1873. Some markers date back to the Civil War, including the burial plots of five Medal of Honor recipients. The cemetery is still in operation to this day.
For additional information, you can go here: Wreaths Across America — Bath, NY
Story & Photos
-Ove Overmyer
