McALESTER, Okla. — Col. Gabriel Pryor, commander of the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, delivered remarks during a local commemoration of the national Wreaths Across America Day at Oak Hill Cemetery's Gravestone of the Unknown Soldier, here, Dec. 16.
An estimated crowd of 100 attended McAlester's 10th Annual Wreaths Across America Day observance to "remember, honor and teach" others about the sacrifices of veterans past and present.
Similar events were observed simultaneously at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and more than 1,300 locations across the globe.
Sponsors of McAlester's ceremony included multiple veterans and Masonic groups, the City of McAlester, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Dennis Wilson, past president of the Indian Chapter of the Scottish Rite Society, served as emcee of the event. Nashville Recording Artist, and Oklahoma Osage-Cherokee Native, Ava Rose Johnson, sang the Nation Anthem.
"The goal for McAlester's local Wreaths Across America group is to ensure that those who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration," said Wilson.
This year's event coincided with the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Christina Thurber, Kilihoti Chapter regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was on hand to speak on the significance of that historical event, which she said, "became a rallying cry and turning point on the road to American independence."
Speaking to the 2023 theme, "Serve and Succeed," Pryor said the event is a call to celebrate veterans and military families who have found success through their service, as well as the volunteers from all across the country that serve their communities.
"Each wreath laid before us represents a life. A life that willingly placed itself on the line for the sake of our freedoms. For some, these wreaths may seem to be a simple arrangement of greenery and ribbons, but to us, they signify and an unbreakable bond of honor and remembrance," said Pryor. "They speak of the countless sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. Sacrifices that have shaped the course of our history and secured the liberties that we hold dear."
Wreaths Across America is supported by people of every race, color, creed, national origin, gender and religion, who are proud to be called Americans.
"The message of Wreath Across America" reminds us that being American is not about being white or black, Protestant or Catholic, or any other label," Wilson said. "It's about loving and serving these United States."
Wreaths for each branch of the Armed Services, and POW/MIAs, were laid at the site to conclude the ceremony.
Distinguished guests included Oklahoma (District 7) Sen. Warren Hamilton, and McAlester Mayor, John Browne.
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