Honoring the bravery, service of our veterans

Wreaths Across America raising funds to adorn gravesites

Memorial Day kicks off the start of the summer season. It’s typically celebrated by spending time with family and friends, cookouts and holiday escapes. It’s also a time to remember and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Throughout the year as each holiday approaches — whether it be Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day or any other occasion celebrated in the United States, Ellen McCauley, coordinator of the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery Wreaths Across America Program, hopes that families and friends will use these special days as an opportunity to purchase a wreath in memory of the local heroes buried at the Veterans Cemetery. Remembrance wreaths are sold year-round.

McCauley said there are over 6,000 veterans buried at the Veterans Cemetery located on Howlett Hill Road in Syracuse. In 2023, 1,186 wreaths were purchased by family, friends and caring individuals. Last year, 908 wreaths were sold. McCauley is hopeful that more will be purchased this year. “The program is a wonderful way for local and out-of-town relatives and friends to purchase a grave-specific wreath. It’s an opportunity to teach our children that freedom is not free and that many gave their lives so we can live as we choose,” said McCauley. “I can’t think of a better way to keep the true meaning of Memorial Day alive than to honor a veteran in this way.”

With the purchase of a $17 wreath, $5 will be given by the National Wreaths Across America Organization toward the purchase of another one. The Remembrance Wreaths can be purchased for a specific person or for any veteran on site. They will be placed on the graves at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 13. All are welcome to attend.

Kirsi Donovan is the volunteer coordinator for the LeMoyne Group of volunteers at the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. As an alumna of the college, Donovan said that she learned about the program a few years ago and is privileged to be a volunteer.

“I am a proud granddaughter of America’s greatest generation, as three out of four of my grandparents are WWII veterans who are buried at the cemetery. Growing up so close to them and learning what they did for our country and the sacrifices they made, will never be forgotten,” said Donovan. “This is true for all veterans who served our great nation,” she added. “It’s important to ‘remember, honor and teach,’ which is the Wreaths Across America’s message. Donovan purchases wreaths each year for her grandparents, uncles and family friends.

For more information or to purchase a wreath online, go to https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/28472/overview/?relatedId=0 or contact Ellen McCauley at [email protected] for an order form.

Memorial Day Mass

Holy Family Parish in Syracuse invites all veterans and currently enlisted personnel to join them at a Memorial Day Mass at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. The honored service members will process into church in memory of their fallen comrades. Military uniforms are optional. The Central New York Gold Star Mothers and their families will also be honored. The Knights of Columbus will hold a free hot dog cookout for all after Mass. Please contact Ellen McCauley at 315-447-4676 by May 23 so she can reserve seating.