Steptoe hosts wreath laying ceremony

STEPTOE —There will be a Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12 p.m. at Steptoe Bethel Cemetery.

There will be 120 veterans honored, and a special ceremony recognizing each branch of the Armed Forces. This year Emergency Responders will also be recognized.

Organizer Cherry Alice Van Tine, stated that the Wreath laying ceremony happens every year, the second or third Saturday every month.

“We have volunteer veterans that are members of the Colfax American Legion present honorees,” said VanTine.

National WAA Day is Saturday, Dec. 17, and the national WAA works with the local program. On the way to delivering veterans’ wreaths for placement at Arlington National Cemetery the escort stops at schools and monuments in various communities along the East Coast route to share the organization’s missions to Remember, Honor and Teach about our nation’s heroes.

“As we head into the holidays, it is important that we take time to remember and recognize all of our veterans, past and present, for the peace, safety and freedom we have in this country,” said VP of Transportation at Pilot Company, Jordan Spradling. “On behalf of all of us here at Pilot, thank you to all our service members out there for your service and sacrifice for our country. We are honored to be a part of Wreaths Across America’s mission and be able to remember and pay our respects this holiday season by placing wreaths on the final resting place of our nation’s heroes.”

VanTine explained that WAA is placing wreaths on 3,679 locations nationwide, and 26 American cemeteries overseas are participating this year.

ROTC from Washington State University does the flag ceremony for the Steptoe Wreath laying ceremony. “We also have the sixth, seventh and eighth grade from Steptoe school come on Friday to help lay Wreaths to help them REMEMBER HONOR AND TEACH.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come,” said VanTine, noting that it starts promptly at noon regardless of the weather. “If anyone wants to sponsor a wreath they can get in touch with me or Lavonne Hall 509-288-9278 Or Jim Lemon 509-595-5006,” she added.