Community honors veterans during Wreaths Across America
Sandra Neirinckx of Coeur d'Alene lays a wreath on the grave of Marine PFC Robert Jerry Gordon during the Wreaths Across America event Saturday morning in Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens. Gordon died in the Vietnam War on April 15, 1969 when he was 20. "PFC Robert Jerry Gordon, you are not forgotten," Neirinckx said. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Petty Officer First Class John Revis picks up a remembrance wreath to place in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Coast Guard during the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday morning in the Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens. The event took place at more than 1,600 locations across the country and 1.75 million wreaths were placed to honor America's fallen veterans and military. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Courtesy photo U.S. Navy veteran Frank Bega addresses the crowd at the Wreaths Across ceremony on Saturday at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum. Leroy Kronvall is in the blue suit on the left.
Not a dry eye could be found as the mournful notes of taps sounded across a quiet Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens on Saturday.
A large crowd gathered that chilly morning to pay their respects and lay 500 green wreaths with red ribbons on the graves of 500 veterans during the Wreaths Across America event.
“PFC Robert Jerry Gordon, you are not forgotten,” Kiwanis member Sandra Neirinckx said as she placed a wreath on Gordon’s grave, where an image of a handsome young Marine was in a frame near his name. Gordon was born in Hayden and died while serving in the Marines. He was killed in action during the Vietnam War when he was only 19.
“My grandfather died in World War II, so it’s important to remember every one,” Neirinckx said, tears springing into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m really emotional.”
It was an emotional moment for many as the ceremony transpired. The Lake City High School choir delivered a sweet and harmonious performance of the national anthem, the Pappy Boyington Detachment of the Marine Corps League posted the colors and members of the Patriot Guard and Combat Vet Riders dutifully held their positions and flags with honor.
The ceremony happened simultaneously with more than 1,600 other Wreaths Across America events, including the large annual presentation in Arlington National Cemetery.
“We are here today to honor the sacrifices made by members of our armed forces, who gave their lives in defense of our great nation,” Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer said in his ceremony speech. “This is a day of remembrance of those who answered the call of their country and to honor and pay tribute to their courage.”
Although the Coeur d’Alene Wreaths Across America has taken place in previous years, this was the first year the event was coordinated by the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene, led by club secretary Kathy Bush.
Bush said she was inspired to get involved in this event because when she visited her dad’s resting place in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio two years ago, she found that someone had placed a wreath on his grave to honor his military service.
“When I saw that wreath, it made me sad and happy at the same time,” she said. “When another family comes and visits their dad or grandfather and sees his wreath, I want them to feel the way that I did.
“I want them to know that they’re not alone,” she said. “The whole thing with Wreaths Across America is you die twice — you die when you take your last breath and you die when nobody speaks your name. We can’t forget our veterans.”
Rathdrum also held a ceremony to lay wreaths on the graves of the 201 veterans in Pine Grove Cemetery, a few of which date back to the Civil War. Rathdrum has held this ceremony each year since 2012 thanks to the efforts of Leroy Kronvall, who spent 20 years in the Air Force, as well as the city of Rathdrum and community support.
“We’re just honored to be able to recognize and honor the veterans that are alive and the ones that have passed,” said Eric Singer, Rathdrum’s Parks and Recreation director. “It’s always nice to be able to meet and greet and thank the veterans that are still around for their service.”
Kronvall said he’s seen things positively change for veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans, who were spit on and called horrible names when they returned from a war they didn’t want to fight.
“It’s good to remember them because some of them didn’t get a ‘thank you’ when they came home,” he said.
Wreaths Across America is held each December to honor and remember America’s veterans while teaching younger generations the importance of honoring their service.
Info: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org