Fort Custer National Cemetery: Tis the Season To Remember
Approximately two hundred volunteers participated for the annual Wreaths Across America event at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Mich., Saturday, December 16, to honor and remember America’s fallen service members and Veterans.
The event began with opening remarks from Sgt. James Sims-Neeley, U.S. Army (Ret.), who said, “Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty and freedom to the world. We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall not forget you.”
Additional remarks were delivered from Col. Frank Walker, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and concluded with an ariel fly over of four T-34 aircraft. The event included service members from each branch of service who placed a wreath in the main plaza to represent their service.
“Wreaths Across America has provided a lot of time, monetary resources, and dedication to our national cemeteries for this special occasion,” said Ryan Sanford, Administrative officer at Fort Custer National Cemetery and a U.S. Navy Veteran. “This is not something that everyone can afford to do, so this is a great way to honor our nations heroes.”
Wreaths were then distributed to volunteers who were asked to say aloud the name on the headstone after a wreath was laid to ensure each veteran is remembered. The goal of this speaking the name of each veteran is to keep their memory alive and let their families know we will not forget their service, sacrifice, and commitment.
On May 10, 1923, an executive order transferred 675 acres to the Veterans Bureau, predecessor organization to the Veterans Administration, for the construction of Battle Creek Veterans Hospital, which was completed in 1924. Fort Custer National Cemetery was established on September 18, 1943, with its first interment. Since then, the cemetery has become the resting place to thousands of fallen service members and former Veterans.
“From World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and even more recent war campaigns, I hope that some of the participants from today are able to take a moment and think about what some of these Veterans had to sacrifice for our nation and our freedoms,” said Sanford. “I also hope that as they looked at these markers and grave sites, they could think of those war eras and what these Veterans had to endure during those conflicts.”
The origins of Wreaths Across America can be traced back to the early 1990s, when Morrill Worcester's wreath company had a surplus of wreaths at the end of the holiday season. Rather than dispose of the excess wreaths, Worcester decided to donate them to Arlington National Cemetery, where they were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. During 2023 Wreaths Across America, more than two million volunteers and supporters will have gathered to ‘Remember, Honor and Teach’ at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad.
“I hope that when these volunteers walk away after today’s ceremony that they can feel honor from the effort they provided to recognize our heroes who lay in rest here,” said Sanford.