Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Dexter Statesman/Josh Ayers

The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony took place before a large standing room only crowd at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield. A Christmas Wreath was laid at each headstone and at each column on the committal shelter walls. A wreath is presented during the ceremony by veterans of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and those listed as Missing in Action or Prisoners of War. Each wreath is placed in honor of the veterans in each branch of the military.

The headstones at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery adorned with wreaths.
Master of ceremonies Randy Dunn welcomes everyone to the ceremony.
Stoddard County Honor Guard member Bradley Williams leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kara King sang the national anthem.
A U.S. serviceman salutes during the national anthem.
Sergeant Gary Kitchen carries out the wreath for the Marines.
Petty Officer First Class Carl Bess places a wreath for the Navy.
Following the Placing of the Service Wreaths ceremony the Veterans stand behind the wreaths. They and the branch of service they represented are from left: Army - Sergeant First Class Retired Charles Long, Marines - Sergeant Retired Gary Kitchen, Navy - Petty Officer First Class Retired Carl Bess, Air Force - Major John Myers, Coast Guard - Chief Warrant Officer 4 Retired Justin Baker, Merchant Marines - Air Force Chaplin Michael Williams and MIA/POW- U.S. Army Roy Rhodes.
Air Force chaplain Michael Williams delivered both the invocation and the benediction.
The Stoddard County Honor Guard bows their heads during the benediction.
The Stoddard County Honor Guard fires the ceremonial volley.
Bradley Williams with the Stoddard County Honor Guard plays Taps.
Maggie Buchheit places a wreath at a headstone following the ceremony.
The headstones at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery adorned with wreaths.