The attendees sing “ Almighty Father , Strong to Save ,” the Armed Forces version of “ The Navy Hymn .” Instructions are given for wreath laying , the empty chair is retrieved , another song is sung , Taps is played , then the attendees disperse reverently to lay wreaths at each veteran ’ s grave as Burns plays the bagpipes .
cemeteries throughout the United States .
“ It ’ s a wonderful , wonderful ceremony ,” Watkins said . “ It ’ s solemn , dignified – but it ’ s also a celebration of honoring the lives of service men and women .”
She walks me through the details of a typical ceremony .
It all begins with a bagpipe prelude , usually played by piper Curtis Burns , a police officer at OSU . Then comes a three-volley salute , with seven men firing weapons three times to complete a 21-gun salute .
The guests of honor are seated , then Major Gen . ( ret ) Doug Dollar recognizes and seats honorary guests , including Gold Star families ( families who have lost a family member in action ), Purple Heart recipients ( those wounded or killed in action ), and their guests .
Then there ’ s the Ceremony of the Empty Chair for Prisoner of War and Missing In Action ( POW / MIA ) military men and women .
During this portion of the ceremony , “ you can hear a pin drop ,” Watkins said . “ It ’ s stunning .”
Next comes the presentation of colors by the OSU Air Force ROTC , the Pledge of Allegiance , and the singing of the national anthem . Short remarks are given , then the presentation of the Armed forces wreaths and the POW / MIA wreath begins . Watkins and her team of volunteers always try to find those in uniform to place the wreaths .
Usually Gen . Dollar moderates , as servicemen and their families stand to honor each branch of the military : Army , Navy , Marine Corps , Air Force , Coast Guard , Merchant Marine , POW / MIA , Veteran Suicide Awareness , Gold Star families , and now the U . S . Space Force . There is complete silence as the presenter for that branch of the military salutes the wreath .
The attendees sing “ Almighty Father , Strong to Save ,” the Armed Forces version of “ The Navy Hymn .” Instructions are given for wreath laying , the empty chair is retrieved , another song is sung , Taps is played , then the attendees disperse reverently to lay wreaths at each veteran ’ s grave as Burns plays the bagpipes .
Major General Dollar says he ’ s glad this ceremony is done at Fairlawn . He and his wife Gayla have family and friends buried here who have served .
In fact , “ Gayla ’ s father and brother are both buried here ,” he said . “ Guests can ask to put the wreath on the graves of people they knew .”
Piper Curtis Burns begins the prelude to the remembrance service for the 2019 Wreaths Across America service at Fairlawn Cemetery .
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 13