OSWEGO COUNTY Fort Ontario State Historic Site welcomes visitors to commemorate National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 13. The ceremony begins at noon in front of the enlisted men’s barracks inside the old stone fort. Following the ceremony, attendees will participate in the “Parade of Wreaths,” where they will escort veterans’ wreaths from inside the fort to the Post Cemetery. The program is free to the public and all ages are welcome. “Fort Ontario State Historic Site is once again proud to host and support Wreaths Across America this December 13,” said Fort Ontario State Historic Site Manager Matthew MacVittie. “The stories of those interred at the Post Cemetery represent the story of America as a whole and we are honored to have such a dedicated group present this event year after year.” This year’s theme is “Keep Moving Forward,” inspired by the last words of Captain Joshua Byers of the United States Army. Byers was the Company Commander of Fox Troop in the 2/3ACR service in Iraq in 2003 when an improvised explosive device struck his Humvee. As the smoke filled the air, Byers gave his driver one last command, “keep moving forward.” Though Byers didn’t make it home, this command saved lives and became a battle cry for his unit and family. “There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must ‘keep moving forward’ together,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “This year, we will share not only the Byers’ story of resilience but also the stories of many others who continue to live with purpose every day and have chosen to ‘keep moving forward.’” The keynote speaker for this year’s event is Lieutenant Colonel Allen J. Luna of the Syracuse Recruiting Battalion, who enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve in 2000 and received his commission from the University of Washington’s Army ROTC program in 2004. He has served at bases across the U. S., including Fort Hood, T. X.; Fort Shafter, H. I.; Fort Dix, N. J.; and Defense Logistics Agencies in Philadelphia and Tobyhanna, P. A. He deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and served two tours in South Korea. Lt. Col. Luna’s awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. Other guest speakers for the event include Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino, Fort Ontario State Historic Site Manager Matthew MacVittie, and Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator Corey King. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political, non-denominational community event open to all people. There is ample parking in the main lot at the front entrance, and visitors are advised to dress accordingly for the day’s weather. Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission, “Remember, Honor, Teach,” is carried out each year in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries across the U. S. and beyond. The Fort Ontario Post Cemetery is the resting place for 77 officers, soldiers and civilians who served at, or were associated with, Fort Ontario from 1756 to 1943. For more information or to volunteer, contact WAA Location Coordinator Corey King at [email protected] or call Fort Ontario State Historic Site at 315-343-4711. For program updates, follow the Wreaths Across America at the Fort Ontario Post Cemetery Facebook page @FortOntarioWAA. Print this entry.
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Mark ‘Wreaths Across America Day’ at Fort Ontario Dec. 13
