A special tradition
On a cold, windy central Minnesota morning, as geese winged their way to southern climates, wreaths were positioned over 300 snow-covered graves at the State Veterans' Cemetery near Camp Ripley as part of Wreaths Across America.
Members of the Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol combined to distribute the wreaths. They were joined by the Minnesota Patriot Guard as well as other veterans' organizations. The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs conducted a brief ceremony, placing seven wreaths, representing each branch of service, the Merchant Marines, Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Cadet Airman Timothy O'Reilly of the Crow Wing Squadron places a wreath during a cold, windy Wreaths Across America ceremony at the State Veterans' Cemetery near Camp Ripley. Maj. Richard Sprouse, Group II
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company started placing wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, the tradition continues as the Civil Air Patrol, the Patriot Guard Riders and other civic organizations place wreaths during a special observance at each of the over 230 state and national cemeteries and veterans' monuments nationwide.