Huntley honors veterans with Wreathes Across America
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The Huntley American Legion Post 673 color guard opens the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 17 at Huntley Cemetery. Coordinated by the village of Huntley, American Legion and Huntley Rotary, all veterans were honored with a fresh wreath and a thank you for their service. Courtesy of Karen Hutchings
Every year, the Huntley American Legion Post 673, the Rotary Club of Huntley, and the village of Huntley joins with communities across the nation in Wreathes Across America. The Dec. 17 event, with the theme "Find A Way to Serve," honored veterans at grave sites at 3,000 cemeteries across the U.S.
Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft opened the ceremony at the Huntley Cemetery with the American Legion Post 673 color guard, followed by Pledge of Allegiance, prayers, military acknowledgments, rifle volley, taps and other announcements by various dignitaries before retiring the colors.
After the ceremony, the public helped leaders lay wreaths on each veteran's grave, at both the Huntley Cemetery and St. Mary Parish Cemetery. The groups placed the wreaths and thanked every veteran with humility and dignity, including, when known, the veteran's name, branch of service, rank, and a prayer.
Wreaths were also ordered and delivered to cemeteries at Harmony, Riley and Union.
The village, American Legion Post 673 and Huntley Rotary thank local families, Scouts and veterans for supporting the Wreaths Across America program and delivering the hundreds of wreaths at all five cemeteries.
Save the date for the next Wreaths Across America ceremony at noon Dec. 16 at the Huntley Cemetery. Anyone wishing to support a veteran may purchase wreaths for $17 each through the American Legion Post 673 at P.O. Box 389, Huntley, IL 60142. More information will be at HuntleyLegion.org and HuntleyRotary.org.
