‘It’s their day’: Wreaths across America honors fallen veterans throughout Washington County

Written by Nick Yamashita
December 18, 2022

ST. GEORGE — St. George City Councilman Jimmie Hughes made the proclamation of today being ‘Wreaths Across America Day’ as over 500 people gathered at Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George Cemetery and Shivwitz Paiute Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of all veterans buried within the hallowed grounds on Saturday.

Hundreds laid wreaths on veterans’ graves on ‘Wreaths across America Day,’ St. George, Utah, Dec. 17, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The ceremony started at 10 a.m. in the Tonaquint Cemetery at the Lee Richard Warren Memorial.

The ceremony started with Valerie King of the National Daughters of the American Revolution Color Country Chapter welcoming everyone and turning over to the Master of the Ceremonies, Major Gregg Johnson of the Civil Air Patrol.

Johnson announced how “it’s their day” to be honored; that is why everyone was present because they knew the importance of this day.

“You and I both know the freedoms we have enjoyed in this country have not come without a price,” Johnson said. “Today across America is a day for all of us to stand as one body and simply say… Thank you. We remember you. We are grateful to you.”

Kallister Hutchings provided the national anthem. The invocation by Gerald Harris, USMC Veteran (1966-1968).

Hughes read a proclamation announcing December 17 as Wreaths Across America Day.

“Whereas Wreaths Across America ceremonies will be held throughout the day at participating cemetery locations to gratefully remember and honor Utah’s veterans to thank them once again for their service for our country during this holiday season… this day shall be known as Wreaths Across America Day,” said Hughes.

The keynote speaker was Jeffery J. McKenna of the Red Cliffs of Zion Chapter of the Utah Society Sons of the American Revolution.

“I am going to go with one word to end my speech,” McKenna said. “That word is condescension. The condescension of God and the condescension of a soldier and veteran.”

Coast Guard: Veteran Roger Edington (1980-2010) and DHS AFJROTC Cadet Ethan Hansen lay ceremonial wreath on ‘Wreaths across America Day,’ St. George, Utah, Dec. 17, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Tracy and Melodee Shinn from Kansas delivered the wreaths for the third year to St. George, with their time being done voluntarily like all delivery drivers nationally.

The ceremonial wreaths were presented by a procession led by the Knights of Columbus #2393 and then carried to the military veteran representatives by the Dixie High School Air Force JROTC cadets.

The military veterans who received the ceremonial wreaths represented each branch of the military:

  • Army:  Veteran Elray Robinson (1965-1973)
  • Navy:   Veteran Tony Moore (1994-2014)
  • Air Force:   Veteran Kevin Robinson (1991-2013)
  • Coast Guard:  Veteran Roger Edington (1980-2010)
  • Marine Corps:  Veteran Dr. Ken Brown (1944-1946)
  • Merchant Marines:  Army Veteran Bennett Navarro (1987-1993)
  • Space Force:  Utah Army NG Veteran Bryan Smethurst 1979-2017
  • POW/MIA:  USMC Veteran Billion Johnston (1976-1979)

The American Legion Post 90 and 142 as well as the Red Cliffs of Zion National Sons of the American Revolution performed the single volley 7-gun salute.

After all ceremonial wreaths were laid to rest, the Jemima Johnson Society Children of the American Revolution sang God Bless the USA. Then the family members of the veterans present were given the first chance to lay wreaths on the gravesites of their loved ones.

Then an estimated over 500 people in attendance went and laid the rest of the graves. This included the Utah National Guard.

Men, Women, Seniors, Children, Firefighters, Police, Veterans and active military personnel all worked hand in hand as one body to give thanks to the veterans who have fallen for the freedoms they are gifted with.

After the wreaths were laid to rest, a procession of most of those in attendance led by the St. George Police Department traveled to the next location of St. George City Cemetery.

The process was repeated. The process of visiting each veteran’s gravesite and laying the wreath on top, fluffing up the evergreen branches and aligning the bows. To end the process by saying aloud the veteran’s name with a simple thank you.

After St. George City Cemetery was completed, a small group of the Patriot Guard Riders and the Daughters of American Revolution drove another half hour to the Shivwits Paiute Reservation outside of Ivins.

The youngest sibling, Angus Snow, of Crawford Snow pays tribute to his fallen brother who was Killed in Action on ‘Wreaths Across America Day,’ Shivwits Paiute Cemetery, Utah, Dec. 17, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

There they met with the tribal member and veteran Glenn Rogers at the Shivwits Paiute Cemetery with wreaths for the veterans there at 1 p.m.

After Rogers performed a ceremonial blessing using sage, he shot a gun four times. The four times were representative of the four ways and four seasons which is special meaning to Native Americans. To finish, he performed a warrior song on the drum and by song.

One special tribute took place as the youngest sibling of Crawford Snow took a wreath to his gravesite and paid tribute. Snow, a Shivwitz tribal member, was killed in action overseas in Vietnam on May 14, 1967.

At the Tonaquint Cemetery ceremony had a special guest, 99-year-old WWII veteran Dr. Ken Brown who represented the Marines.  He served on Iwo Jima and later in occupation forces in Nagasaki, Japan.

There were 968 wreaths laid at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1,185 at St. George City Cemetery and 21 at Shivwitz Paiute Cemetery. The total amount was 2,174 wreaths.

A record of attendees was achieved this year.

“The message really got out this year,” King said. “To come out and remember our fallen and honor those who have served and teach the children the value of freedom.”

To see St. George News’ related coverage of the ceremonies in Cedar City and Toquerville, click here.

Updated Dec. 18, 2022, 6:14 p.m.: Names corrected and added to captions.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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