MOULTRIE — At 4,900 locations across the country, including Cobb Suncrest Garden of Valor in Moultrie, 3 million veterans were remembered for their service and sacrifice during the annual Wreaths Across America event Saturday. Locally, more than 700 wreaths were placed on the graves of veterans.    

John Benning Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has served as the location coordinator for Moultrie for the past seven years.

As a part of the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, this year’s ceremony was a tribute to Vietnam veterans. Vietnam veterans representing each branch of service laid the ceremonial wreaths.  

Those participating were U.S. Army, Lt. Col. Warren Taylor, Ret.; U.S. Marines, Lt. Col. Paul Nagy, Ret.; U.S. Navy, Joe Abrue, Storekeeper 2nd Class; U.S. Air Force, Bob Montgomery, Sr. Airman; and U. S. Coast Guard, Debra Stone, SSgt., Women’s Army Corps.  

Terry Turner, Capt., U.S. Army, laid the wreath in honor of the 93,129 United States service personnel from all branches of the service whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action. As of October 2022, 1,582 Americans remain Missing in Action in Vietnam.

Gold Star Families is a designation reserved for families of military members who have died in the line of duty. It is meant to honor the service member’s ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family’s loss, grief and continued healing. Approximately 58,220 American service personnel were killed during the Vietnam War, including 32 from Colquitt County. One of those was Larry Carroll, specialist fourth class, U.S. Army, who was killed in action on March 9, 1969. His brother Randall Carroll laid a wreath in memory of Larry and all those who died while in service during the Vietnam War as well as all wars throughout American history.

DAR, in cooperation with the Thigpen Trail Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution and the Thigpen Trail Society of the Children of the American Revolution, placed a set of ceremonial wreaths at the War Memorial on the Colquitt County Courthouse Square. A wreath was also placed at the commemorative marker at Spence Field, which remembers the 62 pilots killed while stationed at Spence Army Airfield during World War II.

Approximately 100 volunteers helped to lay the 700 wreaths including a group of associates from Lowe’s, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Cub Scout Pack 828 from Adel. Families, including several three-generation families, participated in teaching the next generation about the service and sacrifice of veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a national organization with the mission of Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom through Wreaths Across America.