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Fairchild participates in Wreaths Across America

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Team Fairchild, the Spokane community, and the families and friends of fallen veterans gathered to place wreaths upon veterans' burial stones in support of Wreaths Across America at the Fort Wright Cemetery in Spokane, Wash., and the Washington State Veteran's Cemetery in Medical Lake, Wash., Dec. 14, 2013.

The Wreaths Across America event is designed to spread the message about the importance of remembering fallen heroes, honoring those who served, and teaching children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedom.
The program started in the Arlington National Cemetery in 1992, and this year, more than 800 participants, including Fairchild, laid over 220,000 wreathes simultaneously across the U.S.

Fairchild joined members of the community at the Washington State Veteran's Cemetery while Col. Daniel Swain, 141st Air Refueling Wing commander, gave words of appreciation.

"Today, we gather to remember we are all one nation under one flag," he said. "These freedoms didn't come without a price."

Base members have always participated in the national ceremony held at the Washington State Veteran's Cemetery, but it wasn't until last year that Fairchild began organizing its own memorial at the Fort Wright Cemetery. This allows base members a way to honor local Airmen as well as to honor Spokane Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

"What started as a fledgling effort last year has blossomed into an incredible show of support to our Ft. Wright veterans with you all donating over 150 wreathes, double that of last year," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, to the crowd at Ft. Wright Cemetery. "Our roots of service are deep, Fairchild, and today, they went a little deeper."

"The holidays are special in America and, as patriots, it is certainly a noble gesture for us as Americans to salute during the holidays those who served, some to the last full measure," he continued. "Wreathes Across America makes a difference, it truly does."