Medina places 1,000 wreaths at veterans’ graves at 3 cemeteries

Photo courtesy of Todd Bensley: The Wreaths Across America ceremony at Medina included representatives holding a wreath for every branch of the military.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley salutes after placing a wreath in honor of POWs, MIAs and all who served, during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Boxwood Cemetery. In back, Kathy Blackburn, chair of the wreath project in Medina, reads an explanation of each wreath placed.

MEDINA – Several hundred volunteers stepped up to help place wreaths on veterans’ graves in Medina cemeteries Saturday, in the annual Wreaths Across America observance.

Kathy Blackburn, who has chaired the event every year, said she actually had orders for 1,500 wreaths, but the Wreaths Across America organization will only ship 1,000.

Medina was able to request that large number because of a donation from local businessman and Navy veteran Tom Snyder.

Then the plea went out for volunteers to help lay the wreaths at Boxwood, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries.

Blackburn said the response was overwhelming.

“We had volunteers calling constantly,” she said. “It was amazing.”

A handful of volunteers were chosen to place wreaths recognizing every branch of the military. One was Gloria Brent, who said she volunteered because she comes from a family who served in the military.

Colton Smith laid a wreath for the Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.

The ceremony began with an introduction by Blackburn, explaining the purpose for the Wreaths Across America program, which was observed in more than 3,400 locations across the county.

“We gather to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Blackburn said. “These wreaths are a gift of appreciation from our nation.”

Dave Kusmierczak offered a prayer, followed by the placing of wreaths.

In all, 800 wreaths were placed in Boxwood Cemetery, 100 in St. Mary’s and 100 in Sacred Heart.

The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, headed by Rob Klino, handed out free hot chocolate and collected donations.

Photo courtesy of Steve Hawley: Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans in Boxwood Cemetery, after a ceremony at noon Saturday in the annual Wreaths Across America project.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Those who volunteered to lay a special wreath representing every branch of the military are, from left, Colton Smith, Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Assemblyman Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.

Dave Barhite and Nicki Fredericks chat while waiting for the Wreaths Across America ceremony to begin. Barhite is a veteran, who volunteers every year to lay wreaths. Fredericks on the board of Friends of Boxwood.

Todd Bensley, left, chats with Tom Snyder in front of the porch where hot chocolate was available. Donations were accepted to benefit Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.