Dec. 09, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, today partnered with Wreaths Across America to host the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in honor of the men and women who have defended our country.
“We are all proud to be Americans who live in a free society made up of many people and many races, from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price,” Barrar said. “We must thank those who gave their lives to keep us free. We must remember.”
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony. Its mission, “Remember, Honor, Teach” is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December in all 50 state capitols.
“The wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation, as well as to their families who endure sacrifices everyday on our behalf,” Barrar said.
Individual wreaths, signifying every branch of the armed services, were formally presented by respective representatives of the military. The remembrance wreath was also presented. The ceremonial wreaths were provided by the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, as a donation to the Wreaths Across America campaign.
Maj. Gen. John L. Gronski, who assumed the duties as the 37th commanding general of Pennsylvania’s Army National Guard 28th Infantry Division in 2012, and Joan Barkley, site manager of the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery and chaplain of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, also spoke at the ceremony. Chairmen of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee also joined to honor veterans and active duty military.
The 50-member Central Dauphin High School choir, under the direction of Mr. John Madas, performed at the ceremony. Maj. Shaun Myers, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Support chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction. The posting and retiring of Colors were provided by The Pennsylvania Military Funeral Honors Guard.
Representative Stephen E. Barrar
160th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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