Wreaths laid to honor military sacrifices
A small crowd gathered Saturday in Butler for a solemn ceremony to lay wreaths in honor of military men and women who died serving the country.
The Gen. Richard Butler Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution conducted the Wreaths Across America Day ceremony in Diamond Park.
“The freedoms we enjoy today do not come without a price,' said Grant Dawson, a West Virginia native who now lives in Butler and who served in the United States Marine Corps from 2004-08 including two years in Iraq.
During the ceremony, representatives of each branch of the military placed a wreath honoring the fallen from each branch on a display.
Knoch High School Marching Band members played taps to end the ceremony. A Marine color guard also participated.
Ninty-three-year-old Edmund Kinter of Butler placed the wreath for the Merchant Marine, the branch in which he served during World War II.
Kinter was discharged in 1948 and later volunteered for the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany.
He said many people don't know about the Merchant Marine, but they played a vital role in the war effort and many gave their lives.
“We delivered all the merchandise for the war: ammo, trucks, tanks, railroad cars, oil, fuel, K rations,” Kinter said. “I was fortunate. I never received a scratch from military action. I seen ships go down around me.”
Kinter said he was among the veterans who fought to have the Merchant Mariners included in the War Memorial in the park.
“We thank those who gave their lives for our freedom. We will never forget. We are here today to say thank you. We are here to honor you,” Dawson said.
Wreaths Across America and the Daughters held nearly 1,500 similar events at noon Saturday across the U.S. This is the 10th year the events have been held nationally and the second year in Butler.
