12-30-2024 11:24pm

Carlisle Area Residents Remembered Their Fallen Heroes

Beth Callahan Editor

CARLISLE, OH -- It was a crisp and sunny winter morning on December 14, 2024 when Carlisle area residents participated in its first Wreaths Across America Event. Spear headed by Karen Nicely, President of the Carlisle Historical Society, the half hour ceremony included:

Speaker/announcer Jeremy Lane Carlisle Fire Chief
An invocation by Reverend Dr. Peter Debroki
Presentation of the colors by the Franklin VFW Post 7596 Honor Guard
National Anthem song by Jessica Williford

Pledge of Allegiance lead by local Cub Scout Pack 139, Daisy Troop 3038 and Girl Scout Troop 3180
Service Branch Wreath Presenters
- United States Army - Lonnie Stewart, U.S. Army Veteran
- United States Marine - John & Jill Coffey, Parents of U.S. Marine Logan Coffey, who is serving
- United States Navy - Harold "Mousey" Dyas, WWII U.S. Navy Veteran
- United States Air Force - Barry Landrum, U.S. Air Force Veteran
- United States Army - Jerry Krebs, U.S. Army Veteran
- United State Coat Guard - Mike Rice, Honor Guard & Auxiliary for the VFW Post 7596
- United States Merchant Marines - Donna Badger, U.S. Army Veteran
- All Branches whose status is Prisoner of War or Missing in Action - Steve Dyas, U.S. Army Veteran

After the presentation the wreaths, community members Jim Gross, Debbie Kemper, Chris Bohr, Sue Middleton, Tom Ratliff and Joyce Stewart came forward to help recite the names of the 96 deceased veterans from the local area.

"This is a way to honor the veterans who have passed," explained Nicely.

Once the names were read aloud, Mayor Randy Winkler and Fire Chief Lane spoke before the ending of the ceremony with a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps, the presentation of the first wreath at the headstone of the Unknown Soldier and the playing of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

"Remember we are not here today to 'decorate graves.' We are here to remember our veteran's lives and sacrifices. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful American," Lane said.

Lane added, "America has seen over 41 million US military service men and women. Of those 41 million, 1,498,240 were wounded; 1,354,664 were fatalities of war; and 93,129 are still unaccounted for Missing in Action. That is 2.9 million soldiers that came home broken, disabled or never came home at all. Your sacrifice is real and will never be forgotten."

Lane ended his remarks with the reading of Letter written by Abraham Lincoln....

Dear Madam,

. I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that msut be your, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln