7SOPS honors veterans in wreath ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs
DENVER --  The 7th Space Operations Squadrons and other members of the 310th Space Wing braved the chill of December to pay tribute to Colorado's veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Colo., during the 2010 Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 11.
Nearly 30 members of 7SOPS joined members of groups from organizations including the Colorado Civil Air Patrol, Scottish American Military Society, Boy Scouts of America, Buckley Air Force Base, and members of honor guards from all services that took part in a wreath ceremony and in laying wreaths at the graves of veterans passed.
Participants in the ceremony were encouraged to look up the names of veterans upon whose graves they lay wreaths, to find out more about America's military heritage, while honoring them.
Lt. Col. Hung Tang, commander of 7SOPS, said 2010 was the third year 7SOPS has taken part in the ceremony. The squadron typically has 30 to 40 members, family members and 310th Space Wing members who participate each year.
"I heard about it on TV and wanted to get people from the squadron involved," said Colonel Tang. "We have a lot of repeat participants and many of those bring family members. It is important we honor veterans and those who have served in the past. We need to remember to not only honor, but teach. We encourage participants to bring their kids to tell them about those who served."
Colonel Tang said he hopes to see 7SOPS continue its participation in the future, even after his tenure as commander and that they have already begun planning for next year's ceremony which they hope to do fundraisers for to buy more wreaths.
Wreaths Across American is organized by the Civil Air Patrol to honor departed veterans across the across the country each December.
The tradition started in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donated leftover wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
In 2006, the company launched the Wreaths Across America program and now provides at least seven wreaths to each Veterans Administration national cemetery.
The ceremony has taken place annually since, growing in size each year. Since the first 5000 wreaths were laid at Arlington National Cemetery, the program has grown significantly, with over 100,000 volunteers placing over 161,000 wreaths at cemeteries nationwide.
Master Sgt. Karen Rouse, the 7SOPS Command Support Staff, whose father is buried at Fort Logan, was integral in organizing the wing involvement in the event and said she developed a keen interest in the program after attending in 2009.
"Last year was the first year and I went with my husband and son," said Sergeant Rouse, who placed wreaths at grave sites, including her father's. "We have tried to get as many people as possible involved in the ceremony."
Rouse said that while they have been able to garner enthusiastic support from 7SOPS, she hopes to bring more of the wing into the fold next year, as well as raise more money for more wreaths.
"We had more money this year than last, but there was still not enough to go around," said Sergeant Rouse.
For further information about Wreaths Across America visit its Website or to donate for next year's ceremony, contact Sergeant Rouse at (719) 567-2178.