12-21-2023 4:51am

Remembering Those Who Have Served At Christmas

Beth Callahan Editor

Photos by Robert P. Hollaender III

MAINEVILLE, OH -- Last Saturday, The Civil Air Patrol held a National Wreaths Across America Day service at Maineville Cemetery in Hamilton Township. Over 200 people came out to participate in the service that concludes with placing a wreath on the marked grave sites of the many veterans laid to rest at the Maineville, Murdock, and Hopkinsville Cemeteries.

The event, which takes place annually on the third Saturday in December, has grown from its beginnings in Arlington National Cemetery to include cemeteries across the country. According to Wreaths Across America website, there were over 4,225 locations across the country that participated in this year's event. And, over three million veterans were honored this year as the volunteers laid a wreath on a veteran's grave and read the deceases name aloud.

People who participated in this year's ceremony were:

Connor Grisso - placed the veteran’s wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Army.
John Daunt - placed the veteran's wreath on the behalf of Brandon Voris in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Pat McGinis placed the veteran's wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Navy.
Bill Hatfield placed the veteran’s wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Air Force.
Pat Morganroth placed the veteran’s wreath in honor of those who are serving in the United States Space Force.Photo by Robert P. Hollaender III
Cadet Curbelow placed the veteran’s wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Coast Guard.
Joe Morganroth placed the veteran’s wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Merchant Marines.
Chaplin David Poland placed the veteran’s wreath in honor of the 93,129 United States Servicemen from all branches of the service whose last known status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.
Robert Webster and Ashlee Rector together placed the veteran’s wreath in honor of the First Responders.
Darryl Cordrey and Joseph Rozzi, Hamilton Township Trustee's, together placed the veteran’s wreath in honor of theGold Star and Blue Star families.Photo by Robert P. Hollaender III of 21 Gun Salute
21 rifle salute - Warren County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard
Taps - Bobby Cox with the American Legion Post #256
Choir - Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) Melody Makers (2nd and 3rd grade students) led by music director, Emaline RiderPhoto by Robert P. Hollaender III of Connor Grisso and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Nicole Earley, Hamilton Township - coordinated and supported this event on the behalf of Hamilton Township. She was active and fully engaged in the planning and coordination of the event with me.

Thank you to Robert P. Hollaender III for sharing his photos. Several other photos that he took and shared with the WarrenCountyPost.com can be seen below in the gallery.

About Civil Air Patrol: Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 58,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies.

As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to over 24,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Located in Maineville, Lt Col Jerome P. Ashman Composite Squadron provides programs for both cadets and senior (adult) members. Cadets participate in leadership, aerospace education, fitness through calisthenics and team building games, and character forums.