By Captain Peter Milano, Public Affairs Officer
DANBURY, Connecticut – Members of Civil Air Patrol’s 399th Danbury Composite Squadron honored veterans in a wreath laying ceremony held at Old Kenosia Cemetery in Danbury on December 14, 2013.
Officers and cadets ventured into the cold and early winter snow fall to lay Christmas wreaths on the tombs of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the nation. Major Jim Vigar, Commander of the 399th, said “It’s an honor and privilege for cadet and senior members to participate in paying tribute to our veterans in this way.” Twenty-six wreaths were placed on graves of veterans spanning the French and Indian Wars to the Vietnam War era.
Representative Janice R. Giegler (138th District, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Ridgefield) also attended the ceremony and placed wreaths with the 399th. She thanked the 399th “for all your efforts on behalf of Wreaths Across America. I appreciate your having extended the invitation for me to join you as I certainly enjoyed the tribute to our veterans.”
This is the fifth annual ceremony sponsored by the 399th at Old Kenosia Cemetery. It is conducted in support of Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that began the tradition of laying thousands of Christmas wreaths on gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. The ceremony now takes place every year during the holidays to honor veterans at cemeteries nation-wide. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and Teach our children the value of freedom.”
