MAYS LANDING – Laying wreaths on the graves of veterans at Holy Cross Cemetery, Rachel Lipana had a series of thoughts.
First, she reflected on the veterans’ service, then their families, and lastly, on her two children.
“I wasn’t born here, but they were,” Lipana, who emigrated from the Philippines in 2009, said of her 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter, who joined their mother in paying their respects. “I want them to understand the sacrifices of these women and men so that they grow up to become good citizens of this country.”
Photo Gallery: Wreaths Across America in Mays Landing
The Lipanas, of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, joined fellow parishioners, community members, schoolchildren, local faith and civic leaders, and active and retired veterans Dec. 14 for the Wreaths Across America event. Hundreds were present for the afternoon outdoor ceremony at Saint Vincent de Paul Church, followed by a wreath placement at the adjacent Holy Cross Cemetery. They were among the millions across the nation to take part in the Wreaths Across America initiative, which has a three-fold goal: to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
“We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” Peter Eschbach, a U.S. Army veteran and Saint Vincent de Paul parishioner, said to the crowd.
“Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America,” he continued, adding that the 2,000-plus wreaths that were donated “symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of our great nation.”
Addressing the youth gathered – including Saint Vincent de Paul students and local Scouts – he hoped they would “understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free, but have come with a cost.”
One of these youth, Jenny Wojciechowski, joined her local Scout Troop 452 in carrying the colors of the nation’s Armed Services branches represented at the ceremony: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.
Holding the U.S. Navy flag, she said, “I’m thinking about the veterans today, remembering their bravery and sacrifices.” Especially on her mind: family members who served in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, she said.
Current servicemembers as well as veterans took part in the ceremony; the Saint Vincent de Paul School student choir performed the U.S. Armed Services Medley. Fellow student Nathan Segui, who is also a parish altar server, helped present the colors as part of the Air Force JROTC Academy from Atlantic County Institute of Technology.
“This day brought people closer together in showing our gratitude for our veterans, and letting them and their families know they are not forgotten,” the 12-year-old said.
The Honor Guard of local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 220 held a rifle salute, and buglers solemnly remembered the fallen with “Taps.”
“We come together to express our gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals for which they fought and sacrificed,” said Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, Adjutant General of New Jersey, and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Making the “conscious decision to put the needs of our nation above their own,” these women and men “are guardians of our freedom, defenders of our values and protectors of the oppressed around the world,” she said. “They represent the very best of what it means to be an American.”
Leading all in prayer and thanksgiving for veterans and their families were faith leaders from the nearby Presbyterian Church of Mays Landing and Apostle Doctrine Church.
After the ceremony, members of the NJROTC distributed the wreaths to each attendee for placement.
Marine recruit Ryan Costine from Ocean City said he was awestruck by the community response. “This puts a smile on my face. I’ve very proud to be here.”
He represented the Marines during the procession with fellow Marine Father John March, pastor of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish.
Father March expressed gratitude that “during a time that’s so challenging in many ways for unity to take place, our community can unify in honoring the sacrifices our veterans have made.”
In partnership with Wreaths Across America, his school and food pantry received a portion of the proceeds of each donated wreath. This year’s goal was 2,000 donated wreaths. Days before the ceremony, donations had surpassed 2,015.
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