Local veterans and first responders were honored during Hometown Heroes Wreath Laying ceremony
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It was a morning of memories and reflection on Dec. 2 as a crowd of loved ones gathered at Union Cemetery in Richboro. Neatly stacked piles of wreaths were sprinkled throughout the cemetery, waiting to be placed on the graves of brave men and women. This was the first Hometown Heroes Wreath Laying ceremony, a special event to honor the 400 local military veterans and first responders laid to rest at the site.
The ceremony began promptly at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the small, non-sectarian cemetery that dates back to 1855. With such a longstanding history in the community, more than 400 local heroes have claimed the space as their final resting place. Unfortunately, many of those early soldiers buried at Union no longer have loved ones in the area to visit.
That’s why the Northampton Township Veterans Advisory Commission, in conjunction with Kids Can Make A Change, wanted to do something special for the holidays to honor each one of them. Regardless of whether or not a loved one was present, every veteran and first responder would have a wreath placed on their grave by members of the community.
The morning started with a color guard and rifle squad by the Patriot Detachment Marine Corps League, “Call to Colors” and “Taps” by bugler Kathy McCall, the national anthem sung by Milo Morris and a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.” A number of Northampton Township police, fire department, EMS and National Guard vehicles were also on display.
After opening remarks by Larry Weinstein of the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors, Kristin Reilly, one of the main organizers of the event, took the microphone.
“Union Cemetery is where so many of our hometown heroes are laid to rest,” she said. “As a community, we have spent a fair amount of time here saying our goodbyes to loved ones. But today is different.”
Instead of mourning, she wanted those in attendance to pay tribute to and reflect on the full lives those heroes led.
“We are gathered here to honor, remember and to thank our hometown heroes who have traded in their badges and brass for angel wings,” Reilly said.
She went on to explain to the watching crowd that the wreaths weren’t chosen by accident. Each aspect of the holiday decoration has a significant meaning. The circular shape, with no beginning or end, represents the eternal, never ending love the community holds for its local heroes. The green color signifies endurance, strength and lasting memories. Lastly, the red bow adorned on each wreath is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice each veteran and first responder made.
Reilly encouraged attendees to do more than simply place the wreath and walk away. She wanted them to take note of the dash between the person’s date of birth and death and realize what it signifies.
“That dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth, and now, only those who loved them know what that little line is worth,” she explained. “The dash between their beginning and end is a tribute to the honorable life they lived.”
According to Reilly, we never know how much time we have left on this earth. Therefore, we shouldn’t stress over money or other material possessions. What truly matters is how that dash and the years it represents are spent. For the heroes buried at Union Cemetery, that time was filled with selfless service to their community and country.
Guests were then invited to participate in the wreath laying portion of the ceremony. Family members were given the opportunity to lay their wreaths first, followed by community attendees who placed the remaining ones.
Union Cemetery is located at 209 Almshouse Road in Richboro. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
