Member of Post 84’s Legion Family in Auburn help place more than 1,600 wreaths at two cemeteries.
Members of The Department of California American Legion Family participated in Wreaths Across America Day in Auburn, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 16. This is the ninth year in which the Auburn area has participated in Wreaths Across America.
The day’s events included two ceremonies, the first in Auburn’s New Cemetery and then a second condensed version at the Old Cemetery. The master of ceremonies for both events was retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Bonnie Potter, the first female physician in the Navy Medical Corps to be selected for flag rank.
The event included a ceremonial wreath presentation where a wreath was placed for each of the branches of the armed services, including the Merchant Marines. The ceremonies concluded with three shots fired by the Auburn-Area Honor Guard.
After the ceremonies, more than 1,600 wreaths were placed by members of the community, including Legion Family members from Richard H. Townsend Post 84 in Auburn. Post 84 Executive Committee member Monty Hecker makes a special effort every year to place a wreath at the grave of his former boss, Thomas Sprecklin, who was a Navy veteran.
- Honor & Remembrance