Wreaths Across America held a wreath laying ceremony at Andersonville National Cemetery on December 14. The Americus Sumter County high school junior ROTC posted the colors.

Gia Wagner, superintendent of Andersonville National Historic Site, welcomed those gathered. “Andersonville National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 20,000 military service members who served, fought, suffered and died for our Country. We’re entrusted with their eternal care, and charged with not only honoring their memory, but also ensuring that the depths of their sacrifices are understood by new generations. Wreaths across America furthers these goals with the help of our many wonderful partners.”

Lee Gentry, executive vice president of the Bennett family of Companies. “Thank you to everyone at Andersonville Historic National Cemetery for allowing us to be a part of this Day of Remembrance, we are all very humbled and blessed to be here to remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to teach our youth the importance of freedom. It does not come free. These wreaths that we will place today came from the support and gracious giving of many people and we are so grateful for the generosity.”

James Purcell lay a wreath in front of the Amery flag. Purcell is a veteran and the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. David Mattingly lay a wreath in front of the Marine flag. Mattingly served in the Marine Corps. Theressa and Clarence Davis presented a wreath before the Navy flag. Zach Pion presented a wreath in honor of the Air Force. Pion is an army veteran. Roy Buckley presented a wreath honoring Space Force. Buckley served in the Army. Eric Hessler presented a wreath honoring the Coast Guard. Hessler served in the Marine Corps. Fred Boyles presented a wreath honoring the United States Merchant Marines. Boyles is a retired Naval Reserve Officer, Chairman of the Friends of Andersonville, Board member of American Ex Prisoners of War, and retired National Park Service Employee. Donna Padgett presented a wreath to honor those missing in action or prisoners of war. Padgett is the Bennett Motor Express Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. Her uncle, Marine Corps Gunnery Sargent James Wesley Jackson Jr., was Missing in Action during the Vietnam War.

A variety of organizations participated in the ceremony, including the following: Bennett International family of Companies, the Taylor Family Foundation, Friends of Andersonville, American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Wreaths Across America, Kappa Sigma, Georgia Southwestern University chapter, Truist Bank, South Georgia Technical College. The Color Guard was the Sumter County High JROTC.

The “Patriot Riders” the ‘Wicked Jeep Club”, “Jeep Girl Mafia”, “American Legion Riders” and law enforcement who were part of the convoy and providing security were recognized. The Americus Rotary Club was also given special credit. Gentry was also recognized during the ceremony.

Members of the Color Guard also gave interviews. Sammia Farrior has been in the ROTC for three years. She stated her motivation came from her father’s service in the military. “I was nervous, but I got it done.”
Tameri Miles has been in the ROTC two years, and also has family in the military. She shared her reactions to the ceremony. “It was great. I was nervous, a little scared, but it was good.”

Sidney Wainwright, Assistant Cub Scout Master for pack 21 of Americus, shared his view of the ceremony. “It was good. It was quite reverent.” He estimated 10 cub scouts attended. He told how most of the scouts were thrilled on how the ceremony unfolded.