A volley by the Sons of the American Revolution, Canadian Valley and Oklahoma City Chapters, salute veterans during Wreaths Across America on Dec 15, 2024. (Photos by retired Lt. Col. Richard B. Stephens Jr., USAF)
At a somber ceremony at Oklahoma’s Fort Reno Cemetery on Dec 15, 2024, visitors put Christmas wreaths next to the tombstones of deceased American veterans as part of a nationwide “Wreaths Across America” program hosted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The Department of the Southeast attended the annual event.
Leslie Dietrich, regent of Fort Reno’s chapter of NSDAR, said the group lays wreaths “to remember, honor and teach about those who served in the military and protected our freedoms.” Their purpose is “not to decorate graves…” but express a “symbol of honor for their (veterans) sacrifice.”
During the program, Dietrich and Grace Ellsworth, state regent of Oklahoma’s NSDAR, explained the purpose and history of wreath-laying each year (nationally since 2005), an Honor Guard posted and retired the U.S. and other flags, and Nancy Seaton of the Fort Reno chapter gave a prayer of remembrance.
Afterwards, Blake Mayfield played taps and Christmas Guns fired. About 65 people attended.
Members of the Canadian Valley and Oklahoma City chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution, dressed in historical period clothing, formed a line and fired three volleys from muskets and pistols. Four members of Howell’s 11th Texas Light Artillery Battery also fired three volleys using a cannon.
Marina Hanson of Yukon, Okla., (above left) lays a wreath next to a gravestone at Fort Reno’s cemetery as part of Wreaths of America on Dec 15, 2024. Henry Baer, a member of Sons of the American Revolution of Oklahoma City, (above right) places a wreath by a veteran’s tombstone during the same event. (Photos by retired Lt. Col. Richard B. Stephens Jr., USAF)