Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20996
Wreaths Across America to Honor Fallen Soldiers by STEPHANIE CRIDER Sometimes it is hard to know how to thank a veteran — someone who has served on your behalf, and quite possibly faced and endured things that some would prefer not to acknowledge or even consider. What about the fallen and their families? How can we honor them and the sacrifi ces that they have made? So maybe this isn’t the breeziest of topics to be reading during the holiday season. It’s relevant though. At noon, on Dec. 11, the Dogwood Chapter of Gold Star Mothers along with the local HOG chapter, the 82nd Airborne Foundation, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders are gathering to take part in the Wreaths Across America Campaign at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake. Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath sponsored the Arlington Wreath Project by donating 5,000 Christmas wreaths to Arlington Cemetery. Since then, the project has grown as thousands of requests poured in from around the country from people wanting to emulate the project. The second Saturday in December, at noon each year, Wreaths Across America places a wreath on the graves of veterans in cemeteries large and small across the nation. This year there are more than 400 ceremonies that will take place simulataneously with approximately 500 wreaths to be placed locally. “What we are trying to do here is to show these families that the sacrifi ces that they and their loved ones made have not been forgotten,” said Steve Adam, Cape Fear HOG spokesman. “It is a way to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion and to show that we are grateful for their sacrifi ce.” There will be a short ceremony, with Brig. Gen. Edward M. Reeder Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Special Forces Command, speaking. Seven wreaths, representing each of the armed services and the veterans who have served in them will be placed at the base of the fl ag.Gold Star mothers and perhaps a few Gold Star wives will be among the fi rst to lay wreaths on the graves. Musical tributes will be a part of the ceremony as well with a bugler playing “Taps” and a rendition of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. “It’s a very sobering and moving experience. Have you ever heard “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes?” said Adam. “It’ll bring the toughest of men to tears.” While the time for fundraising and accepting wreath donations has past, for this particular event, the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. There are plenty of wreaths to be placed and this is also an opportunity to show respect and gratitude to the fallen Adam said. “This is not a fundraiser,” said Adam. “People need to know that there is no money being made here. This is a group of grateful citizens, honoring our fallen soldiers.” To fi nd out more or to make a contribution to Wreaths Across America visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ For questions about the Sandhills State Veteran’s Cemetery and the local event, call 207-483-2039 or e-mail lorietex@aol.com. Symphony Brings Holidays In With Style by KIMBERLY SMALLS The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Holiday Spectacular Concert promises to be a “spectacular” event. With music, dancing, food and Santa Claus, the concert will have something for the whole family. The program will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Reeves Auditorium on the campus of Methodist University. Conducting the program is FSO Music Director Fouad Fakhouri . The concert will feature all holiday music including songs from “The Nutcracker,” “Greensleeves,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Festival,” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” which is the favorite of FSO Executive Director Mark Savage. Soprano Erin Matson will perform a solo. Matson teaches at Fayetteville Academy. In addition, Savage and Dr. Don Parker of Fayetteville State University will perform “The Typewriter” written by Leroy Anderson using an actual typewriter. “It’s a LC Smith Manual Typewriter” says Savage “I bought it at an antique store in Memphis, Tenn.” Savage has performed the song several times and you can catch a few of his performances on YouTube. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra at Seabrook Auditorium. And what is a holiday concert without Santa Claus? Savage says Santa will greet guests as they arrive at the auditorium and sit next people in the audience. Santa may even conduct a song if the audience agrees to it. There will be dancing at the concert as well. Denise Strother and Roland Bersh III will dance to “Skaters Waltz”. Strother and Bersh along with dancers from Roland’s Dance Studio, will dance to “Blue Danube.” With a packed performance schedule, Savage says planning for the concert began December 2009. “It’s a big project” he said. “We wanted to have a lot of fun this year” Tickets for the Holiday Spectacular Concert can be purchased from the FSO offi ce, at www. fayettevillesymphony.org, or at Reeves Auditorium the evening of the concert. Ticket prices start at $8 for students, $20 for military and seniors, and $25 for adults. Call the symphony offi ce at 433- 4690 for more information. Kimberly Smalls, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. DECEMBER 8-14, 2010 UCW 9 STEPHANIE CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com.