Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Dec 11, 2010 - Cadet Breanna Melton lays a wreath on the grave stone of a soldier Saturday at the Chattanooga National Cemetary. Melton is a member of the Chattanooga Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.One by one, a retired or active serviceman proudly stood when his name was called and marched to the front of the podium in the Armed Forces Pavilion at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Each received a wreath that was placed beneath an emblem honoring his branch of the U.S. military for the fifth annual Wreaths Across America, a ceremony to honor the country's veterans organized in conjunction with the Civil Air Patrol.
William Norwood, a Korea prisoner of war, laid the wreath in honor of those missing in action and prisoners of war.
"I feel it's my duty to help keep the memory of those brave Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice," said Norwood, who joined the Army at 17 in 1947.
Norwood said he arrived in Korea in September 1950 and was taken prisoner in April 1951 for 21/2 years.
Starting at about 9 a.m. Saturday, a couple of hundred volunteers placed 1,440 red-bowed wreaths on the white headstones before the ceremony at noon.
For Jeff Murphy, who served in the Army from 1993 to 1998, this was the second year he volunteered to help pass out the wreaths.
"I think this is a great thing to do to remember veterans, especially at this time of the year," said the captain of the Civil Air Patrol Choo Choo Senior Squadron.
Breanna Melton, 12, is one of several teens with the Civil Air Patrol Chattanooga Composite Squadron. She said participating in the ceremony was very special because it was her first time. She plans to follow her father, Col. Barry Melton's, footsteps and join the military.
More than 100 people -- including members of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution -- attended the ceremony, which started with a 1,000-foot flyover at noon by a Civil Air Patrol search and rescue plane.
"Today we show a united front all across the United States of America as we remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach our children about freedom," said Maj. Ron Broach, Civil Air Patrol Group 2 Commander and Wreaths Across America location leader for Chattanooga National Cemetery.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMThe Worchester Wreath Company began donating leftover wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in 1992 and in 2006 began the Wreaths Across America program in 131 national and state cemeteries.Source: Department of Veterans Affairs.
Most of the wreaths are donated by individuals, groups and businesses such as U.S. Xpress, whose employees raised more than $2,500 this year and donated transportation.
The local transportation company drove a trailer full of wreaths from Maine, making several stops along the way, U.S. Xpress spokesman Greg Thompson said.
"We can't forget veterans; without them we wouldn't be here," said Elizabeth Norwood, who drove from Cleveland, Tenn., with friends, including Pearl Harbor survivor George Allen, in support of her husband, William Norwood.
Contact Perla Trevizo at ptrevizo@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6578. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/Perla_Trevizo.