Steptoe honors veterans with wreaths

Teresa Simpson, Whitman County Gazette | Dec 21, 20230

Justin Slayton | The Gazette count

Jennifer Holt, Dan Bodey, Allen Cochrane, Gary Cooper, Jim Retzer, Tom Barlass, Matthew Mellor and Howard Ulrich lay a wreath for each branch of the military.

Submitted Photo | Cherry Alice Van Tine count

Students from Steptoe School helped decorate the 122 veteran graves at Bethel Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 15.

STEPTOE - The sixth year of Wreaths Across America (WAA) ceremony was held at the Bethel cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 16, at noon in observance of National Wreaths Across America Day.

After an introduction from Coordinator Cherry Alice Van Tine about the organizations history, Pastor Bob Ingalls led the gathered group in prayer before the wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 122 veterans laid to rest in the cemetery.

Veterans who presented honor wreaths at the ceremony included Mst. Sgt. Jennefer Holt for the Army, Sgt. Dan Bodey for the Navy, Sgt Allen Cochrane for the Marines, Sgt. Gary Cooper for the Coast Guard, Sgt. Jim Retzer for the Air Force, Tom Barlass for the Merchant Marines Corp., Capt. Matt Mellor for veterans who were killed in action and prisoners of war, and Sgt. Howard Ulrich for the Space Force..

Midshipman Trey Ramirez acted as the American flag bearer for the ceremony.

Van Tine said they would like to thank several people who helped make the ceremony memorable, including the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders of Steptoe Elementary School.

Van Tine also thanked the Steptoe Elementary students of Mr. Patton and Mr. Baerlochar, who placed 122 wreaths on veterans' graves.

Van Tine reminds everyone to remember the United States veterans and those serving in the military now and to teach children the value of freedom.