As Christmas nears, wreaths of fragrant evergreens appear on doors, buildings, the grills of pick-up trucks. And for those whose lives were lost in the service of their country, wreaths are placed on their graves across the nation on December 12th in a program called Wreaths Across America. It’s a fitting honor to those who have given their lives for us, and a comfort to their families to know that they are not forgotten.
To the parents who grew old without a child, to the children who grew up without a parent, to everyone who lost a loved one or friend, the thoughts of their loss wasn’t limited to one day a year. In a season of joy, it’s only fitting that we remember as well. By placing a wreath on the graves of our war dead, we show that we honor their sacrifice.
However, there remained a glaring gap. Many of our war dead were lost to the sea, and there are no graves upon which to place wreaths.
A Coast Guard Auxiliarist and World War II veteran recognized this gap, and has begun a program to remember those men and women lost to the sea. The program, called Wreaths Over The Water, was begun at the Lake Worth Inlet Coast Guard Station in Florida. On December 12th, a ceremony was held to honor those without graves. A wreath was placed on the tide for each service, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, each saluted as the wreath floated out to sea. Then one more wreath was laid upon the tide for those Missing in Action and Prisoners of War.
The politics of war bears no connection to the sacrifice of these men and women, or the loss of their families and friends. Having given their lives, the least we can do is remember them, offer comfort to their families and honor their sacrifice.
The hope is that this is the birth of a tradition that will find its way into the hearts and minds of Americans across the nation. This December 12th, there was but one ceremony held in Florida. Next year, let this ceremony be repeated across the nation. Those whose bodies were lost to the water are no less deserving of our thoughts.
Simple Justice
Scott, thanks for taking the time to note the absence of so many who have died in service to this nation.
AWCS J.C. Johnson AW (CAC)
United States Navy, ret.
Eternal Father: The Navy Hymn
Lyrics by Reverend William Whiting and Music by Reverend John B. Dyke
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro’ space,
Thro wind and storm, thro’ sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air! Amen.
Oh Trinity of love and pow’r,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e’er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.
Great reminder, Scott. And it calls to mind a detour everyone should make when visiting Hawaii – the “Punchbowl” military cemetery in Honolulu, which has a beautiful memorial to the 25K+ US service members lost at sea during WWII.
It would be very thoughtful if Avvo Blog, and all others for that matter, would post about Wreaths Over the Water as well. Perhaps the Left Coast might be persuaded to join in honoring those lost at sea.
Social comments and analytics for this post
This post was mentioned on Twitter by mglickman: The season for wreaths http://bit.ly/7sCL5m via @ScottGreenfield
The Season For Wreaths, By Scott Greenfield
My dear departed father served in the United States Coast Guard during WWII, so this request is one I happily accomodate. Scott Greenfield, who writes the brilliant Simple Justice, asked (via Twitter) bloggers to blog about programs that use wreaths…