Saturday, Dec. 13 marked the second annual wreath-laying at Pentwater Township Cemetery in participation with Wreaths Across America, an organization that for over 30 years has sought to remember and honor deceased U.S. veterans during the holiday season. It was also the first year that veterans of North Weare Cemetery have been similarly honored.
Participation in the WAA’s simultaneous wreath-laying ceremony - celebrated by countless people at cemeteries across the nation and abroad - was brought to Pentwater Township and North Weare Cemeteries by a collaborative effort between the Michigan Dunes Chapter of the DAR and the volunteer group Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery.
Co-coordinators of the event and ceremony are Shannon Larson and Melissa Grondsma - who delivered closing remarks at Pentwater Township and North Weare respectively. Larson was inspired to bring Wreaths Across America to Pentwater after years of driving to Holly, Michigan, to lay wreaths at Great Lakes National Cemetery. As a member of the DAR and founder of Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery, Larson knew of the numerous veterans buried in Pentwater cemeteries and how they’d passed this occasion year after year without being properly honored.
There are 374 veterans in Pentwater Township Cemetery and 63 more in North Weare, some of whom have served in wars as early as the Civil War and even the War of 1812.
The event began at noon at Pentwater Township Cemetery with an introduction from Larson, presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an opening statement from Air Force Veteran Ray Hilderbrandt. Brenda Hilderbrandt (also of DAR and Friends) directed the laying of the first eight wreaths, each representing a different branch of the American military and those soldiers missing in action or prisoners of war. The wreaths were laid by Girl Scout Troop 8350 and Boy Scout Troop 1155. Following was a performance of taps on trumpet by Rodney Grondsma and Klayton Ruggles with final remarks by Larson.
The dozens of volunteers who braved the bitter cold and snow were then asked to choose a wreath from one of several stations located across the 20-acre cemetery to place at the grave of a veteran, helpfully identified by a flag placed at their headstone. Along with laying a wreath at a headstone, volunteers were instructed to spend a moment with the veteran they were honoring by saying their name out loud and thanking them for their service before taking time to spruce up the wreath and place it where the veteran’s name is still legible.
Following the laying of wreaths at Pentwater Township Cemetery, volunteers had an hour’s break before they were invited to do the same at North Weare. In the meantime, volunteers could fortify themselves with refreshments made available by volunteers. Chili was provided by Maureen Murphy alongside homemade cookies, cocoa and hot cider by Steve and Sue Thomas. Prior to the event, the cemetery walkways were plowed by Ryan’s Lawncare of Pentwater, and busing was provided to and from the cemetery at Pentwater’s VFW building. The crowd of volunteers hardly dwindled between the two ceremonies, with plenty of hands to finish the wreath-layings at North Weare at 2 p.m. The volunteers seemed unaffected by the freezing temperatures, winter weather, and slick roads when it came to honoring our departed veterans for their selfless service to the people of our nation.
During her speech, Larson reflected on the philosophy that “the dead die twice,” first when their life expires and again when their name is forgotten to the living. “It’s important to remember our veterans, and it’s important that they’re not forgotten.”
