By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — More than 80 people attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Mount View Cemetery at noon Saturday where volunteers placed Christmas wreaths at veterans graves.
It is the fifth year that Mount View has participated in Wreaths Across America. The program was started locally by Cindy Wagner five years ago.
A similar Wreaths Across America event was being held at Chestnut Cemetery in Portville at the same time Saturday.
Diane Smith of Olean asked volunteers who were placing wreaths on the graves to pause for a moment and say the veteran’s name out loud and take a moment to thank them for their service.
“It is a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive,” Smith said. “We are not here today to decorate the graves. We are not here to remember their deaths, but to remember their lives. Each wreath is a gift from a grateful American.”
The Allegany American Legion Ritual Team from Charles Harbel Post 892 attended the ceremony, offered a 21-gun salute and played Taps. Mary Previglian of Salamanca sang the National Anthem.
“Smith said, “These live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor and to those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of our great nation and to their families.”
This year, volunteers placed 456 wreaths on veterans graves at the Field of Honor. That is up 200 wreaths from last year according to Brad Spink, president of the Mount View Cemetery Board.
One volunteer, Tom Nuss of the Allegany Legion Riders, said the group has often ridden to Bath for the Wreaths Across America program at the VA Cemetery, but decided this year to stay closer to home and participate at the Mount View Cemetery.
