For those planning to attend the ceremony and/or wreath placement at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery next Saturday, Dec. 14th.  I’ve got a lot of info for you, including the gathering afterward.  Most importantly, as I say every year and cannot stress enough, bundle up and wear warm comfortable boots that can get muddy.  Also, please bring your patience with you.  Each year things run more smoothly, but this whole event is largely done by volunteers.  As the number of volunteers, like ourselves, come to participate increases each year it can create new problems, so just be patient and remember why we’re all here. 

The ceremony begins at 12:00 noon at the cemetery Memorial.  If you’re attending the ceremony you’ll need to arrive at a (free) parking lot between 10:30-11:00am to allow time to get a (free) shuttle bus down to the cemetery.  **Important, remember what color lot you park in!  Before getting on the bus turn around and locate your vehicle, sometimes the bus drops you off at a slightly different area of the lot.*  The ceremony lasts about an hour, then you’ll walk to one of the many areas of the cemetery to place the wreaths.  CVCC will gather in the same spot as last year which is outside the Memorial, behind the flags, on the small embankment.  You can sign the attendance sheet and we’ll get a group photo. 

Here is the map of the parking areas: Map

When you get a wreath, you’ll get instruction from that area group leader as to where to go to place the wreath on a headstone or plate.  When you arrive at a veterans grave, stoop down, clear away any leaves or snow/ice as necessary, then say their name out loud.  Take a moment to say a prayer or quick words of thanks for his/her service, and lean the wreath against the headstone -being careful not to cover the name, and straighten the bow as necessary.  Stand, pause, then return to get another wreath.  This is a solemn event.  While talking is ok, there should not be any yelling or rowdiness.  

When you’re ready to go, you’ll walk back to the Memorial to catch the appropriate shuttle bus for the parking lot color where your vehicle is.