Veterans honored at wreath ceremony

WINSTED — Those who served their country were honored at Forest View Cemetery with a wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16.The event, organized by the local Brooks-Green Woods Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, took place at the cemetery’s Veterans Memorial.At the ceremony, wreaths were laid honoring veterans who served in all five branches of the military along with wreaths honoring those who served in the Merchant Marines, veterans who were prisoners of war and are missing in action.The ceremony at Forest View Cemetery was held in conjunction with other Wreaths Across America ceremonies across the country.According to the event’s national website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org, the Winsted event was one of over 600 wreath-laying ceremonies held nationwide.The beginning of the ceremony at noon coincided with the wreath-laying ceremony held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va.According to organization Vice-Regent Lori Brady, the event started in 1992 in Harrington, Maine, as a way to honor all branches of the military.“We hold this ceremony in order to honor those who served and those who are still serving,” Brady said. “This is a way for us to give thanks for what they have done for this country. The freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy did not come without a price.”U.S. Marine Corps veteran Pastor David McGee led the group of 30 residents, including veterans and town officials, in a prayer at the ceremony.“All of those who served answered their call, and they all gave us the best,” McGee said. “We will remember their sacrifices and remember that freedom is not free.”Mayor Maryann Welcome read a town proclamation at the event in honor of the veterans.“The words remember, honor and teach are very important words for us,” Mayor Welcome said. “We must remember the sacrifice of all who served, we should honor all of those who are currently serving and we must teach about the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. We should never forget to teach the next generations the value of freedom that veterans have made through their sacrifices. We must never forget that freedom is not free.”