Wreaths Across America – Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) participated in wreath laying ceremonies in three area cemetery locations including:

1. Spring Grove Cemetery – Cincinnati, OH

2. Greenwood Cemetery – Hamilton, OH &

3. Woodside Cemetery – Middletown, OH

On a relatively warm, yet drizzly Saturday December 18, 2021 more than 120 proud attendees participated in the laying of wreaths on 694 gravestones of fallen Veterans in three Cincinnati area Cemeteries. The weather did not dampen the spirits of the volunteers who participated that day.

This ceremony was part of the Nationwide Wreaths Across America which honors Veterans by placing a wreath at their gravestone. This program has been growing in scope over the years. A link to the WAA event is provided here: Wreaths Across America.

As an additional benefit, there is a Spring Grove Cemetery website where many of these photos you see here were sourced, we are grateful for the use of those photos in this article – see the link provided: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=sgcemetery&set=a.10159923483620536

Spring Grove Cemetery – Cincinnati OH

The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) led by the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard (NCMCG) posted the Colors to half staff and formed in Mourn Position during the bugle Call for Colors by Craig Flick.

The Cincinnati SAR members were joined by: Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and it’s Auxiliary; three Chapters of the DAR (Clough Valley, Cincinnati and Mariemont); St. Antoninus Cub Scout Pack 614; and others totaling more than 120 people.

Each of the 694 wreaths were lain at the gravestone of a Veteran with a brief Ceremony mentioning their name from the marker by the attending Volunteers.

Wreaths were also placed for each of the US Services: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, POW/MIA & Space Force.

After the wreaths were placed on the fallen veterans gravestone, the NCMCG returned the Colors to full Staff under a bugle Assembly direction.

A Benediction was led by the CCSAR Chaplain Rev. Ed Bonniwell

Taps was played by Craig Flick.

In a separate ceremony, representatives of the CCSAR moved to the Revolutionary War Memorial in Spring Grove Cemetery and placed 2 wreaths for the 60 Revolutionary War Patriots honored on the Plaques there. CCSAR members who participated included President Gregg Ballman, Bob Bowers, Clay Crandall, Tim Madden & Mike Gunn.

Greenwood Cemetery – Hamilton, OH

In Hamilton OH, a separate WAA event took place with representatives of the CCSAR & John Reily DAR Chapter at the Greenwood Cemetery. CCSAR members Mike Blum, Dan Schmitz and Gary Duffield were in attendance, along with members of the John Riely DAR chapter. Together they placed a wreath on Patriot John Riely’s gravesite, to honor his service to our nation.

Woodside Cemetery – Middletown OH

In Middletown OH, there was a WAA event at the Woodside Cemetery. Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) member Jack Bredenfoerder participated in a wreath laying event with participants from the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.