Volunteers place wreaths at Guaje Pines Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America observation Saturday morning. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from Saturday’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at Guaje Pines Ceremony. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Sen. Leo Jaramillo, Rep. Christine Chandler and Ken Nadeau observe a moment of silence. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Guaje Pines Cemetery joined some 3,700 participating locations nationwide for a Wreaths Across America ceremony to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

On behalf of American Legion Post 90, chief location coordinator Randi Kay Simmons and fellow coordinator Ken Nadeau have been working on the event since August, raising the funding for hundreds of live balsam wreaths, lining up speakers and volunteers, and amazingly, in the middle of a snow-covered, isolated cemetery, set up a station with hot chocolate, coffee and a selection of fresh-baked items donated by Ruby K’s Bagel Café in Los Alamos. Los Alamos County Parks Supt. Wendy Parker and her staff marked all the appropriate graves prior to the recent snow fall and roadways within the cemetery and outside had been cleared of snow. Members of the Los Alamos High School NJROTC program provided a color guard for the occasion and placed veteran wreaths in honor of the branches of the Armed Forces.

Ken Nadeau was the emcee for the event, Rep. Christine Chandler read the state proclamation from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Sen. Leo Jaramillo addressed the gathering.

“The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout the nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear. We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do. We are free to vote for the leaders of our choosing. And we have the right to succeed, and we have the right to fail at whatever endeavor we wish to pursue,” Nadeau said.

He reminded volunteers that they were not there to “decorate graves”.

“We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America,” he said. “These live balsam fir wreaths symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the Armed forces of our great nation and of their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf,” Nadeau said.

Senator Jaramillo expressed his gratitude to every event coordinator, donor and volunteer who made the event possible.

“We think about the holidays as the most wonderful time of the year, filled with gifts, traditions and gathering around the table. But for many families there is an empty seat at that table. For our veteran and military families, it’s important they know their loved ones are not forgotten. That’s why, for all of us here, it is our privilege to participate in Wreaths Across America, which honors veterans by laying wreaths on the graves of the brave men and women who served our great nation,” Senator Jaramillo said.

He noted that Wreaths Across America is built on a mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

“Their commitment lasts all year long, far beyond a single day in December when we participate in a wreath-laying ceremony,” Jaramillo said. “I believe in this mission and want to do my part to give back to those who have given so much.”

Cadets from Los Alamos High School NJROTC present the colors Saturday morning. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday morning at Guaje Pines Cemetery. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Veteran Ken Nadeau, a location coordinator for Saturday’s event, addresses participants. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Rep. Christine Chandler reads a proclamation from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham prior to the placing of wreaths for Wreaths Across America Saturday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Kudos to Randi Kay Simmons, who has been working on the 2023 Los Alamos Wreaths Across America program as chief location organizer since August. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Sen. Leo Jaramillo joins Los Alamos Hilltoppers Hockey Team following the Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday at Guaje Pines Cemetery. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Volunteers voiced aloud the names of each veteran on whose grave they placed a live balsam fir wreath Saturday morning at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Sen. Leo Jaramillo, far right, stops to chat with a fellow volunteer at Guaje Pines Cemetery Saturday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Volunteers brave the cooler temperatures Saturday morning to place wreaths at Guaje Pines Cemetery. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com