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Weekly Bulletin September 11, 2022
by Terrie Evans
On this 24th Sunday of Ordinary time, please take the time to observe Patriot Day to remember those who died in the September 11, 2001, attacks. This was a sad time in the history of our country, and we will never forget where we were on that dark day. A month after the attacks, Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) introduced a Bill to make September 11 a National Day of Mourning on October 25, 2001, along with the support of 22 co-sponsors and President George W. Bush. In 2002, the 1st Patriot Day was observed with a moment of silence at 8:46 A.M and memorial events held to honor the 2,977 victims who perished from the terrorists who carried out these attacks on our soil. Today, the United States Flag will be flown at half- mast throughout the world on all U. S. Government Buildings. Americans are asked to display flags outside their homes as we all mourn the anniversary of this tragic day, 21 years ago. It is also referred to as a National Day of Service and Remembrance as a day to volunteer for special projects across the country in participating communities, large or small. There are many ways to share the gifts God has bestowed on you. Visit someone in a Nursing Home or spend time with a sick friend, your time is worth more than you think to someone who would enjoy your company.
There are also many unique ways to show appreciation to those heroes’ who serve in your community. All of us could not live without the emergency services these agencies provide. We forget those who serve us 24/7 in our own neighborhoods to keep us safe and out of danger. The Firefighters, Police, National Guard, Border Patrol, and all branches of the Military all need our support and kindness. America became the greatest country on earth because we all looked out for each other so, choose a charity to donate funds for a cause you are interested in.
A service project to consider as we get close to the Holidays is Wreaths Across America. In a few months we will celebrate the holidays to anticipate the season of Christmas and visit the graves of our loved ones at the cemetery. There are many cemeteries with graves of soldiers who are forgotten during this time of year. Some cemeteries will set aside a Saturday during December to place wreaths on a Veteran’s grave. Wreaths were used in mythology by Apollo who wove a wreath from the branches of an olive tree to wear around his neck to honor the memory of a loved one. The Greeks would hang harvest wreaths for good luck and by the 16th century the wreath would symbolize eternal life through Jesus Christ while being used for funeral arrangements. National Wreaths Across America Day is observed by volunteering to lay a wreath on a Veteran’s Grave, sponsoring a Veteran’s wreath at a cemetery or by donating to a local sponsorship organization. It is designed to remember America’s fallen soldiers by covering a veterans grave marker with a Christmas wreath on a Saturday in mid -December. These Veterans were our Sons, Daughters, Father’s Mother’s, Sisters, and Brothers, so we must never forget and honor those who served as we teach our children and grandchildren the value of freedom.
Spring Grove Cemetery is one of the participating cemeteries in our area for the Wreaths Across America Day. There will also be wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at more the 2,500 locations in all 50 United States, at sea and abroad. Spring Grove Cemetery will have a ceremony to remember the fallen; on Saturday December 17th, 2022, at 12:00 PM to lay 1,500 wreaths on the Veteran’s Graves while saying their names and reciting a prayer. The Theme for this day is “Find a way to Serve” as we remember the courage and sacrifices of our military Veterans. In 2021, more than 2.4 million Veteran’s wreaths were placed by volunteers at 3,136 locations around the country. The late Mother Teresa said, “The greatest good is what we do for one another.” The link for Spring Grove cemetery is https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/.