Honoring veterans with Wreaths Across America

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Each year, just before the New Year holiday, individuals wishing to bring honor and remembrance to military veterans participate in Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America (WAA) coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 3,700 locations, and includes areas within the United States as well as abroad and at sea. Wreaths are placed at grave sites, cemeteries, parks and memorials that are connected with the memory or recognition of our veterans.
The wreaths signify a tribute to the sacrifices that veterans have made for their country, and serve as an opportunity to remember, honor and teach about who our veterans were, or are. This gesture is intended to not only honor fallen heroes, but to show surviving veterans and the families of veterans that their service is not forgotten.
In recognition of Wreaths Across America, local residents David Wilson and Major John Haynes, accompanied by Richard Wilson and Harry Rotter, traveled from Madison to Monticello, placing flags at the locations of historic monuments, memorials and graves of some of our area's most famed veterans.
Flags were placed in honor of Sergeant Earnest Thomas, known famously as “Boots,” whose grave is located in the Roseland Cemetery in Monticello, and at the memorial of Captain Colin Kelly, which is located in Madison, Fla. Additional flags were placed at the graves of William Harold Anderson, Maynard Morris McLeod and James Jackson in Monticello, and on the graves of Dale Leslie, Dennis Bunting, Charlie Bell, James Riley Newman and Augusta A. Trulove in Madison, in recognition of their service.
Monticello hero recognition:
-Boots Thomas, USMC, died on Iwo Jima during WW2.
-Maynord Morris McLeod, USMC, died on Peleliu during WW2.
-William Harold Anderson, US ARMY AIR CORPS, died in North Carolina after flying over 50 missions as a B-25 pilot during WW2 in the South Pacific.
-James E Jackson, USMC, died in Korea.
Jackson, McLeod, and Thomas all were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions in combat. The Navy Cross is the second highest award for valor that an American can receive, with The Medal of Honor being the highest award for valor.
Madison hero recognition:
-Dale Leslie, USMC, WW2 hero.
-Dennis Bunting, KIA, Vietnam.
-Augusta A. Trulove, died during WW2 in a B-26 aircraft accident near Mulberry, Fla.
-Corporal Charlie Bell, died in a POW camp in Korea of malnutrition during the Korean War.
-James Riley Newman, KIA during the Battle of Peleliu during WW2.
Bell and the other Madison men are all buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Madison. Newman is buried in the Midway Baptist Church Cemetery.
Major John L. Haynes was born in Madison, and joined the USMC at the young age of 15 years old. He is a combat veteran of WW2, Korea and Vietnam, and currently lives in Jefferson County.
Richard Wilson is the son of Bernard and Betty Wilson (both deceased) of Madison, Fla. He currently lives in Madison.
Harry Rotter is the Commander of American Legion Post 68 in Madison. He currently lives in Madison.
David Wilson is the brother of Richard and the oldest son of Bernard and Betty Jane Wilson. He served in the USAF as a Titan II Missile Launch Officer from 1971-1975.
Generations of men and women have served their country throughout the lifespan of America, risking their very lives to defend and preserve the freedoms that our country enjoys today. In the fall, we honor their sacrifice with Veterans Day, and in the spring, we acknowledge them again with Memorial Day. Wreaths Across America serves to encourage all Americans to continue to honor our veterans throughout the year.
Wreaths have been used symbolically as an indication of eternal life, represented by the circle of boughs, and epitomize the victory of an eternal spirit and memory, even in death. The ceremony of placing flags or wreaths upon these places of memory ensures that the deeds, lives and efforts of our heroes, both fallen and surviving, are never overlooked or forgotten.
To those who have served, or are currently serving our nation, thank you for your good service, may it always be remembered in gratitude and honor.