Jackson veterans were honored through the Wreaths Across America program for the first time, with wreaths being placed on the graves of around 1,330 veterans in the Russell Heights Cemetery and over 130 veterans in the Jackson City Cemetery.
The nationwide program was brought to these two cemeteries by the John Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Jackson, who began fundraising for the event in January.
“This is the first time we have done this, and we didn’t really know what to expect,” said Janet Bockting, who was the Wreaths Across America chair for the DAR. “It’s a little overwhelming to see this many people come out.”
The DAR held a wreath-laying ceremony to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, at the entrance of the Jackson City Cemetery. The ceremony led by DAR member Pamela Johnson took place concurrently with around 2,500 ceremonies held across the United States including at Arlington National Cemetery.
Local veterans lay wreaths honoring every one of the branches of the United States military during the ceremony and an additional wreath was placed on an empty chair to honor veterans who were missing in action or prisoners of war.
Veterans lay ceremonial wreaths for each branch of the military at 11 a.m. on Dec. 18 at the entrance of Jackson’s City Cemetery. An additional wreath was placed on an empty chair to represent veterans who were missing in action or prisoners of war.
“Just a year or a year-and-a-half ago, this was just a vision by the John Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution,” Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs said. “They started with an idea, and with community support and a lot of effort, they were able to bring this special event to the City of Jackson.”
A crowd came to the ceremony and helped lay the wreaths at the graves of local veterans. Within an hour of the ceremony, volunteers had placed all the wreaths at both cemeteries. Volunteers were asked to speak each veteran’s name as they lay a wreath at the grave.
“Wreaths Across America allows us to honor and not forget these veterans — this is what we’re all here for,” Bockting said. “It helps us teach the next generation about what these veterans have done for the country we live in and to be thankful for that.”
DAR Wreaths Across America Chair Janet Bockting helping place the wreaths at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.
Included in the volunteers were local veterans, the Jackson Fire Department and local Scout troops. American Legion Post 158 Commander Gary Kamp commended the DAR for their work in taking on such a large project.
“It’s gratifying to see such a large crowd come out on this nice brisk, windy and cold day,” Kamp said. “But I think it goes to show the dedication and support that this community has in recognizing the veterans going back to the Revolutionary War to our current wars.”
The DAR chapter exceeded its initial fundraising goal for the project, raising around $22,000 and being able to place wreaths on the grave of every veteran in the two cemeteries.
A veteran’s grave in Jackson’s City Cemetery with a wreath laid in front of it on Dec. 18.
“Janet and I had a big idea that we could meet our goal, but the Wreaths Across America group said we would be lucky if we met 60% our first year,” DAR Treasurer Cheryl Cook said. “Some people said we couldn’t do it, but we exceeded our goal.”
The DAR fundraised throughout the year at Jackson events such as the Fourth of July celebrations in City Park and the Missouri bicentennial ice cream social on the old courthouse lawn. Cook said they also visited with Jackson businesses to receive sponsorships.
“People were excited about this, especially once they knew what it was,” Cook said. “We would ask people if they knew what Wreaths Across America is and they would have no idea, but when we described it as what they do at Arlington, then they usually knew.”
Cook said the DAR is planning on continuing the program next year and will begin collecting donations for the December 2022 event. “Fundraising will start immediately, which is what needs to be done,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get 100% participation next year.”
American Legion Post 158 Commander Gary Kamp and DAR member Pamela Johnson during the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
Veterans at the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 18 at Jackson’s City Cemetery.
Taps was played during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 18 at Jackson’s City Cemetery.
Veterans at the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 18 at Jackson’s City Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America volunteers at Jackson’s City Cemetery on Dec. 18.
Wreaths Across America volunteers at Russell Heights Cemetery on Dec. 18.
Wreaths were placed at the graves of veterans at Russell Heights Cemetery on Dec. 18 as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America.
