 |
|
Wreath Ceremony |
Being aware of wreath laying on national holidays, I went to the internet seeking guidance and found Wreaths Across America and learned of the thousands of wreaths being placed on veteran's graves in cemeteries across America; this, and every December, on the same day at noon. I discovered we had only a week to create and launch a Coast Guard program to match the national ceremony timing. Time being of the essence, an agenda was needed as to what and how to do this with taste and respect?
That's when it occurred to me, "Where does a mourner go to weep for those lost at sea? There's no grave to visit and place a wreath upon" Is this not a sacred duty owed to all that perished at sea? We must provide a venue that allows for solace and closure, something, perhaps a wreath on the water program?
Wreaths on the Water became our mantra and with this in our hearts, we moved ahead. We enlisted a Navy Reservist, an Air Force veteran, circa Viet Nam, a World War II soldier and a Station Lake Worth Guardian to represent all veterans, living or dead, to lay the wreaths on the tide. Having conducted burials at sea for the Coast Guard, I offered the service starting with the Mariner's 23 Psalm and a short prayer as each veteran placed his wreath onto the outgoing tide. The atmosphere onboard was charged with emotion, so palpable that you could almost feel it, especially when the thirteen notes of Taps ended and eight bells were struck, symbolizing the end of the ceremony. Silence reigned on the way backed to Station Lake Worth Inlet.
Upon our return to the dock we determined to repeat the performance next year. What a glorious thought; but year 2008 came and went, and this solemn ceremony enjoyed no encore. This delay, however, gave us the time necessary to develop a more complete program for the next time. The Romans had a name for it, tempus fugit, meaning time flies and it certainly does. Suddenly December of 2009 was upon us and we were ready to pursue what we hoped would become a tradition? Only time will tell.
We learned much from our first ceremony, as we were now prepared to pay homage to all veterans, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, Merchant Marines and MIA's, those missing in action on the water. Arrangements were made to accommodate persons wishing to join in the ceremony aboard accompanying Auxiliary facilities and the Navy Chaplain of the District 7 agreed to officiate.
The date was set to coincide with that special date in December when wreaths were laid on veteran's graves across America. The time of day was set by the outgoing tide needed to carry the wreaths out to sea. The media was contacted, all "t's had been crossed and i's dotted," some Division 5, D7 public affairs officers were in attendance to memorialize the ceremony and we were ready to go to sea.
That's when "Murphy's Law" joined us. Whatever could go wrong did. Forget media attention as lightly manned media weekend crews had to cover a golf athlete story. For starters the weather wasn't cooperating; the ocean was buffeted by strong winds and 4 to 5 feet swells. The sky, was heavily overcast, and with more than a hint of spray dampening all aboard, we switched to the ubiquitous "Plan B" and proceeded to just shy of the inlet. With Auxiliary crafts on either side, we held our position as the waters flowed rapidly passed our stern. The ceremony began with this short introduction:
"Our presence here is to honor those who perished at sea, having neither grave nor gravestone to visit nor weep upon. Today, as many thousands of wreaths are being placed on veterans graves across America, we are here to honor you with a wreath of remembrance and a farewell message. Our nation stands as a shining beacon of liberty to the world. We thank you who have given their lives to keep us free and we shall never forget you or your sacrifice and you will remain in our hearts forever."
Then the Chaplain's invocation was offered, followed in turn by each veteran as he bent to place his wreath on the tide. The crew, at attention, saluted as each wreath as was laid on the water. This heartwarming ceremony was concluded with a bugler playing TAPS, its lingering notes stayed with us. For a short while all was still, very still; we knew we had fulfilled the debt of honor owed our veterans. Adversity, be damned, we are the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and we too, are Semper Paratus, and so our ceremony was presented and then ended with quiet dignity.
Our sacred ceremony over,
I sensed something was missing, perhaps a bridge with the past as well as
the future, maybe a tradition to look back upon with honor and forward with
compassion. Our Wreaths on the Water ceremony is humbly offered to
the world and in the author's belief could be worthy of acceptance as a tradition,
what think you?
Semper Paratus
Author's note: Our program "Wreaths on the Water" was adapted from the "Wreaths Across America" program originated by the owners of the Worcester Wreath Company of Maine, supplier of the wreaths bearing flags of each service. America owes these patriots much for their inspiration in honoring veterans, which now includes those lost at sea, "Wreaths on the Water" offers to those left behind, the closure which eluded them in the past.
Without the approval
and urging of my commanding officer, BOSN4 Mullinax of Station Lake Worth
Inlet in Florida and Auxiliarist William Hanlon, Asst. District 7 Public Affairs
Officer, I would not have attempted suggesting something as important as a
"Tradition." Please accept my story as one written from the heart.
~WRH 05-22-10