- Date & Time: Saturday, December 14th, from 11:00 AM to approximately 1:00 PM. The ceremony begins at the pond at 11:00 AM, lasting 30 minutes, followed by 90 minutes of wreath laying across the cemetery.
Participants:
- Student organizations (JROTC, FFA, STUCO, Key Club, GHS Band, and Choir)
- Boy Scouts, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Guest Speaker: Mayor Steve Gentling
- Special Guests: Kathy Hayes (descendant of Medal of Honor recipient Oscar J. Upham) and Daughters of the American Revolution
Highlights:
- Full sponsorship achieved for 1,600 wreaths (650 sponsored by the community and businesses, balance donated by Alton National Cemetery, IL).
- Graves pre-marked with utility flags on Friday by student organizations for efficient identification.
- Special recognition for Oscar J. Upham, with a ceremonial wreath placed by his great-granddaughter.
Ceremony Program:
- Welcome & Moment of Silence
- Invocation
- Color Guard/National Anthem (GHS Band)
- GHS Choir Performance
- MC Remarks & Guest Speaker
- Ceremonial Wreath Presentations (for military branches, POW/MIA, and first responders)
- Bagpipe Song: Flowers of the Forest
- Rifle Volley (VFW) & Taps (Bugler)
- Closing Remarks
The event is a collaboration of community efforts to honor and remember veterans' service and sacrifice.