Wreaths Honor Veterans In 2 Danbury Cemeteries

Originally published March 2016 · p. 14

Lt. Col. Ralph Langham presents a wreath to go on a grave to a 399th Danbury Civil Air Patrol Cadet and a Korean War veteran. (Peter Milano photos)

Wreaths Honor Veterans In 2 Danbury Cemeteries DANBURY, Conn. — The flags of Korean War veterans, the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders and the 50- and 34-star flags of each era were prominent in Danbury for Wreaths Across America observances. Thirty-one wreaths were laid at Old Kenosia Cemetery and 59 were placed at Wooster Cemetery on Dec. 12. Members of the 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery and 79th New York Cameron Highlanders took part in the presentations with the Danbury Korean War Veterans Association, 399th Danbury Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Danbury Air Force Junior ROTC and Danbury Cemetery Association. Lt. Col. Ralph Langham of the 79th New York said the Christmas tradition of honoring veterans began in 1992 with wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreaths have been laid in Danbury since 2010. Langham said planning begins in the spring when cemetery permission is gained and fundraising starts. Each cemetery and a person responsible for getting and delivering the wreaths is assigned a number by Wreaths Across America, a non-profit. A week before wreaths are to be placed they are trucked to a storage and preparation site, in this case, New Fairfield, Conn. Langham said the Danbury ceremonies are unique and somber. As boxes of wreaths are opened at each cemetery a CAP cadet hands a wreath to the senior officer and presenter, who is Langham. He asks a cadet and guest Korean War presenter to come forward. The cadet salutes the wreath. The officer turns the wreath around, hands it to the cadet and then salutes the wreath before the cadet and presenter take it to a grave designated with an American flag. One of them will kneel and lay the wreath. The cadet salutes and returns to the end of the line to stand with another presenter until all wreaths have been placed. At the end of the ceremony reenactors fire a musket volley and Taps is played. Langham welcomes queries at [email protected] from units that would like information about participating in Wreaths Across America.