Among those taking part in the first wreath laying event at Oak Hill Cemetery on Dec. 13 were (l-r, front) Dot Chmelik, Dana Davis Hanson and Diane Bidwell. (Back, l-r) Howard Manos, Dawn Roth, Toledo Mayor Dave Svoboda and Gary Sieck. -Photos provided

On Saturday, Dec. 13, in front of the Veterans Memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama, Toledo Mayor, Dave Svoboda welcomed folks shared a history about the Wreaths Across America Organization and thanked others for coming. Dawn Roth, treasurer for the Lincoln Highway Bridge Park Tama-Toledo Organization which hosted this event, shared about what the group was working on for the bridge and park in 2015 and never forgetting to honor Veterans.

Others expressed importance of honoring our veterans that are out there now serving for our freedoms. Dot Chmelik, using her map, help volunteers find section 12 at the cemetery where the wreaths were laid. Wreaths, that we laid, will remain on the graves until after the holidays at which time we will pick them up and store them for next year.

Thanks to the family and friends that had placed wreaths on their veteran’s grave through out the week.

This event demonstrated what a great community we live in where folks can come together and show their patriotism for our fallen and for those serving through out the world, freely. We thank the Lincoln Highway Bridge Park Organization for hosting this event this year.

Coming in 2015, community individuals will come together to set goals and put together a plan that will include wreaths for more of the almost 400 veteran graves at Oak Hill Cemetery. Our long term goal is to have all Cemetery Committees plan for all Veterans to be acknowledged and to involve any group, organization and individual to participate. What a wonderful way to come together in harmony to honor our Veterans.

Diane Bidwell and Gary Sieck lay wreaths at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama on Saturday, Dec. 13 in a Wreaths Across America event.

There is a web site you can go to get information about the National Wreaths Across America near you. You may want to join their chapter and purchase a live wreath to place on a fellow Veterans grave. It is a wonderful organization that honors Veterans.

Preparation

We had only a short amount of time to prepare some wreaths so we used what materials we had on hand. We used artificial evergreen garland and shaped it into a circle. We tied a plastic fabric red ribbon bow at the top and using a metal coat hanger for the stake. In one short afternoon, 30 wreaths were made by Karla Wessele, Colleen Davis, Dot Chmelik, Howard Manos and Jeannie Sieck. Working together making up these wreaths to honor our veterans, was very enjoyable and special because of the fun folks had and the comradely.

A special eggnog toast was given for Howard’s birthday and instead of cake we had home made cookies.

We will continue to gather materials of artificial evergreen garland and wreaths and plastic fabric red ribbon to make wreaths for next year.

Anyone interested in donating any of these items contact Jeannie Sieck or you can just drop it off at the Gary Sieck home. Everyone and any group is welcome to join us or take the leadership role.

Volunteers are always need to make an event a success and you will be so surprise how giving and sharing will make you feel.

-Submitted by Jeannie and Gary Sieck