On a very cold January 9th morning, I joined Stamp Defiance Regent Jo Stroud, Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge Regent Jane Teachey, and five S.A.R. members for a filming of wreath placements at the Moore’s Creek Battlefield. A representative from the Scottish Society Nell Nichols was there also. Park ranger Jason Collins arranged for the professional filming to accompany the virtual broadcast on the February 27th Anniversary date. Under S.A.R. member John Thornhill’s direction, the color guard led our tiny procession to the Women’s Monument where Jane Teachey laid the first wreath. Then, because of flooding just beyond this monument, we returned to the parking lot, climbed into vehicles, and drove to the Patriot’s Hall field area. We then walked or rode in the golf cart to the other three monuments to resume the procession filming. Passing by the bridge, we saw that it was underwater! There were no bagpipes nor gun firing, but we were there to honor and remember. Our modest group presented wreaths at the Loyalist, Moore, and Patriot (Grady) Monuments. I hope you will join us for the virtual commemoration the end of February.
On January 16th another cold Saturday morning at 8AM, two other chapter members and their husbands along with my husband and myself returned to the Wilmington National Cemetery to retrieve the wreaths we had reverently placed on the headstones in December. Young and old arrived with rakes or with intentions of just draping the wreaths on their arms before placing them in the dumpsters and then stacking them beside the full dumpsters. Removing the wreaths is done as respectfully as placing them. I read the names and their information on the headstones once more, in case it would be the last time until next December. The cemetery, bathed in early morning sunshine, wearing its green holiday wreaths was a beautiful sight to behold. I like to remember it this way. Leaning against the headstones our wreaths say, “You are not forgotten. We remember you.” Thank you for sponsoring wreaths with Wreaths Across America.
In spite of the cold, January has turned out to be a good start to the new year.
Carole Weiss, State Regent
