ceremonial

 Today at noon I will be participating in the wreaths across America thing. I have been involved with that for a number of years now and will continue as long as I can. Here in Greensboro we will have a small ceremony at the town flagpole. A wreath will be laid for each branch of the service. A short prayer will be offered and a few words spoken. Last year we did have a piper. We have no honor guards to render a proper 21 gun salute but that in no way diminishes the sentiment. Following that ceremony we will all walk over to the cemetery and place the wreaths. I'm certain it will all be a bit different this year. We never have a large crowd and so the challenge shouldn't be too great. 

 I do support the Wreaths across America initiative. It seems the least we could do for our veterans. A wreath placed in time for Christmas is only appropriate. I have read where there is some conflict about this in Florida. Wreaths have been placed on the graves of Jewish veterans. The local Rabbi asked that they not be placed there as he felt it was dishonoring the memory of that veteran. Wreaths across America explained that the wreaths are not Christmas wreaths but rather Remembrance wreaths. They don't deny the wreaths appear the same as a Christmas/Holiday wreath but that is not what they are. They appear the same because the same company that makes them, makes Christmas/Holiday wreaths. Really a matter of semantics I suppose. There are no religious symbols on these wreaths, just a red bow and if you desire the branch of service with a flag representing that service. In my opinion the enemies bullets didn't discriminate against any soldier based on religious beliefs and so a remembrance wreath should not as well. Still, if the family member objects it shouldn't be placed there. But there are those that purchase wreaths without designating any particular grave, they are to be placed to honor the veterans memory, and not to celebrate Christmas. I don't know, I guess I would just say if the family objects, honor that. Shall we say if the headstone contains a symbol of the Jewish faith we will not place a wreath there at all? That would only seem right if everyone in the Jewish faith agrees, and from what I read, they don't. Just like Christians, there are different denominations of Jews, and all don't agree on what is what.

 Well that isn't an issue in the Greensboro cemetery. There are about 10,000 interred there. I'd say the majority are Christians. I'd say that based on the number of Jewish families in the surrounding area. There is a Temple in Easton about twenty miles from here and I suspect there may be a Temple in Dover, twenty miles the other direction. I just don't think there are many people of the Jewish faith around. I have to say I wouldn't know though as I have never asked. The records for the cemetery are somewhat sketchy. In the past paper records were kept but not much information actually recorded. No one knows exactly how many veterans are interred there. If there is no marker on the stone, and no family member to identify the person, it remains a question. as to religious affiliation that too is left to history. 

 Anyway, whatever the case may be I will be there to remember my fellow veterans. We were all comrades in arms. The war, the conflict, the police action, whatever you wish to call it makes no difference. Whether that veteran served on the front line or was a supply clerk in Oklahoma makes no difference. The length of service makes no difference. What their religious belief was, makes no difference. The gender of the soldier, airman, or sailor makes no difference. It is the commonality that makes them veterans and deserving of our respect and remembrance. And that is the only goal of Wreaths Across America.   Hand Salute, Carry on, as you were. Words that a veteran understand all too well. Thing is, after having served, a Veteran will never be, as they were, they are forever changed. Forever a veteran, a title they can carry with pride beyond death. Lest we forget. Placing those wreaths on their graves isn't just a ceremony, it is an obligation.