Wreaths Across America

At the Tyler Memorial Cemetery on route 64, west of Tyler, our assembly in cooperation with the Tyler Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron, honored our fallen veterans with a wreath laying ceremony.

Approximately 420 wreaths were laid on the grave markers of military veterans. Current and retired members of the different branches of the military laid ceremonial wreaths for veterans of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine. A wreath for POWs/MIAs was laid by Lt. Gen. Howard Fish, USAF, Ret., and parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene. SKs James Kennerly and Ron Wright presented the wreaths for the US Coast Guard and the US Navy respectively.

The Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland, was on hand to open the ceremony with a prayer and blessing of the wreaths. The ceremony included the posting of colors by the CAP, national anthem, and the Korean War Veterans Association played Taps and provided a 9-Gun Salute indicating that the dead have been cleared and properly cared for.

There was a nice turnout from the community, including city council representatives Ed Moore and Don Warren and a representative from the office of Sen. Ted Cruz.

Assembly #3361 Color Corp Commander, James Kenerly stands at salute after laying the wreath for all veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard.

L-R: WWII Veteran and former Prisoner of War, Lt. Gen. Howard Fish, USAF, Ret., The Most Reverend Joseph Strickland, Bishop of Tyler, and Lt. Col. Milt Price, USAF, Ret., Faithful Navigator Assembly #3361 - photo courtesy of SK Phillip Marsh

SK Bob Docktor laying a wreath on the grave a veteran at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.

USAF Veteran and Faithful Navigator of Assembly #3361 Lt. Col. Milt Price, Ret. lays wreaths on the graves of veterans during the Wreaths Across America event held at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.