Parade of Wreaths ceremony honors, remembers fallen servicemembers

Published May 26, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the Thomas B. McGuire Foundation and the New Jersey State Police commemorated Memorial Day with the 28th annual Parade of Wreaths ceremony here Wednesday at Pudgy Circle.

Maj. Gen. William D. Razz Waff, 99th Regional Support Command commander, and Lt. Col. Thomas Gilbert, New Jersey State Police chief of staff, were honorary guest speakers to discuss the importance of Memorial Day.

Participants in the ceremony laid wreaths as a tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. Servicemembers from all branches of the armed forces, retirees, family members and local police officers placed more than 40 wreaths around Pudgy Circle.

"It's important to think of the people who gave their life, whether military or police, in protection of our country," said Gilbert. "The more we remember, the less of a chance we have to forget."

Waff spoke about the true meaning of the word "hero" and the different connotations people have for it.

"'Heroes' is a word talked about in society very lightly," he said. "It seems anybody who makes a million dollars or more and plays on a professional sports team is given that accolade. For those of us who've worn our countries uniform, 'hero' takes on a completely different meaning, with a completely different depth and significance."

The ceremony featured a KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III flyover, the New Jersey State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold and the North Hanover Townships School District children's choir.

Also featured were Upper Elementary School students Bailey Vinzant, 5th grade, and Emily Konopka, 6th grade, who recited their winning essays on "The Cost of Freedom" in front of the joint base community.

Memorial Day is celebrated across the U.S. in remembrance of all servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms this country has today.

Gen. John Logan officially proclaimed May 5, 1868 as Memorial Day to honor those who died during the Civil War. Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. This initial act continued throughout the years and is a tradition still carried on today.