Over 200 Gravesites Decorated As Tribute to Veterans’ Service

COLD SPRING – There are many veterans’ graves at Cold Spring Cemetery, Seashore and Academy roads.    
They range from Lt. Richard Wickes of the Continental Navy who was killed during the Revolutionary War Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet as he served aboard the 18-gun naval brig Reprisal, to Sgt. Edward Hunter who died during World War II in France as part of the 6th Armored Division under Gen. Patton who was the subject of Herald stories last year.
Korean and Vietnam veterans including many more recent local military personnel who served their nation when needed also rest with their brothers in arms nearby. 
Those veterans were honored Dec. 16 by the Wreaths Across America organization, local sponsor Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 86 and other area groups when over 200 donated wreaths were placed at each gravesite in chilly temperatures.
The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Ceremonial Detail presented the colors at the site of the veterans’ memorial to the sounds of a bagpiper and the national anthem.
Led by local Wreaths Coordinator Robert Riehl, Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st), a wounded veteran of the Iraqi War, paid tribute to all who served and continue to serve their country when called upon in this dangerous world.
The Wreaths Across America organization relies on thousands of volunteers to purchase wreaths, and private companies to help transport those wreaths to cemeteries across the country. 
This year, over a quarter million wreaths were placed at the gravesites of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery alone.
The mission statement for the organization says it all: “To Remember the fallen, to Honor those who serve, and to Teach our children the value of Freedom.” The list of participating organizations in Lower Township continues to grow. 
Some of those groups who purchased wreaths for this year’s ceremony were Flotilla 86, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Legion Post 193, Ancient Order of Hibernians of North Wildwood, Cape May County Emerald Society, Cape May Patriots Chapter DAR, Greater Cape May Elks Lodge 2839, Greater Wildwood Elks Lodge 1896, Guardian Spouses TRACEN Cape May, Jersey Coast Nam Knights MC, Kiwanis Club of Cape May, Property Owners Association of Cape May Beach, Senior Citizens of North Cape May, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Cape May VFW Post 386.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.