Wreaths in remembrance

It was cold and dreary Saturday morning but still over 200 community members turned out to the New Auburn Cemetery bundled up against the weather at 9 a.m. They came to honor area veterans at the fifth annual Wreaths Across America Remembrance/Wreath Laying Ceremony event. Part of a national effort to remember American veterans who have passed away, Wreaths Across America events take place across the country at the same time. Paula Celick, Wreath Across America location coordinator, works all year selling wreaths at community events and soliciting donations to purchase wreaths for the ceremony. "Our first year we only had 475 wreaths, this year we had 2,394 wreaths, almost enough to place a wreath on every veteran grave in the cemetery," Celick said. The event began with opening statements from Master of Ceremony Rear Admiral Bonnie Potter, a presentation of colors by the Auburn Civil Air Patrol, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Navy League Captain Bruce Lundberg. Speakers gave brief, emotional, personal statements including Gold Star Mother Patty Schumacher whose son Victor Dew was killed in action in 2010. Other speakers were Auburn Mayor Bill Kirby, Placer County Sheriff Devon Bell, Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes. Representatives from each branch of the military then placed ceremonial wreath at the base of the Auburn War Memorial. Potter then recognized many corporate, small business and other generous sponsors that helped present the event. A rifle salute, the playing of Taps and a benediction closed the formal part of the ceremony. Volunteers, family members and community members then picked up the balsam wreaths and began placing them on the gravesites of veterans. "Our motto is 'Remember, Honor and Teach,'" Celick said. "We remember our veterans who have died, honor our living veterans, active duty military and first responders and teach this to our young people," she said. "It's important to never forget our veteran's service to our country." Another ceremony followed to honor and remember veterans buried at the Old Auburn Cemetery immediately after the one at the New Cemetery.