DOWNEY — The Downey Cemetery recently participated in a country-wide appreciation for our veterans called Wreath Across America.

This year, across the country at more than 2,700 participating cemeteries like ours, there were millions of Americans gathering as one nation to Remember, Honor and Teach. 

There are 350 veterans buried at the Downey Cemetery and each one was honored with a wreath. The wreaths are not placed there to decorate their graves but to remember their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful country and community.

As proud Americans we live in a free society made up of many people, from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying at the Downey Cemetery and in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear.

We started our remembrance by asking everyone to share in a moment of silence to remember the fallen, prisoners of war, those missing in action and honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s armed services.  

 Together we showed a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America as we REMEMBER the Fallen, HONOR those who serve and their families, and TEACH the next generation the value of freedom.  

We also encouraged every volunteer there (over 95 volunteers), who placed a wreath on a veteran's grave, to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It's a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. 

Thank you to all volunteers who joined us and to the Downey Cemetery Board and staff that made it possible. And a special thanks to our sponsors who made our goal possible to honor every veteran.   

Dn. Mario A. Guerra is chair of the Downey Cemetery board of trustees, which oversees cemetery operations. He was appointed by Supervisor Janice Hahn.