MinotWreaths.org
MinotWreaths.org is celebrating a powerful community turnout following its annual Cross Planting Day held last Saturday, October 17 at Rosehill Cemetery. Nearly seventy-five volunteers from age 2 to 92 joined together in preparation for the deeply meaningful day of remembrance at the anticipated Wreaths Across America Ceremony Day in December.
The thick green grass of the Veterans’ section at Rosehill Cemetery was covered with volunteers and framed by fallcolored trees. Even a herd of deer turned up to cheer on volunteers from a neighboring section. Civil Air Patrol cadets, JROTC cadets, local businesses, families, and veterans worked side by side as our community pushed welded rebar crosses into the ground on which wreaths will hang. Participants ensured every flat grave marker was included, rows were straight, and debris was picked up. The crosses are planted beside the edge of flat grave markers each October before the seasonal freeze to allow wreaths for veterans without standing headstones to be secured.
“This day is a meaningful part of our mission to honor our veterans. Getting ready for Wreaths Across America Day is my favorite time of year,” said 14-year-old Civil Air Patrol Cadet Master Sergeant Jeannie DeHaan. “Working to honor every veteran at Rosehill, carrying that commitment forward and teaching our youth why it matters, is both a privilege and a responsibility. Watching my community come together to tackle these projects and expand our efforts to honor our veterans is so exciting! The cadets in my squadron love being a part of it.”
Volunteers exchanged handshakes, smiles and nods over a job well done. It was a scene of teamwork and shared purpose, reflecting Minot’s commitment in honoring every veteran resting at Rosehill. MinotWreaths.org extends special thanks to the Minot Camera Club for sending photographer Tim Zeltinger to document the mission and its impact, and to NorthStar Community Credit Union and Brokers 12 for joining the MinotWreaths.org Adopt-A-Section Program as they expand their reach in Rosehill Cemetery.
“As the MinotWreaths.org project grows to include each of the nearly 3,000 veteran graves at Rosehill Cemetery, the need for Minot’s community organizations and businesses to form stewardship teams, as North Star and Brokers 12 formed, will grow as well,” explained MinotWreaths.org Coordinator Robyn Stoner. “These teams act as veteran stewards for one section of Rosehill for 4 hours each year: during Cross Planting Day in the fall, Wreaths Across America Day in December, and Wreath Clean-up Day in the spring. Working together as a community in this effort means we will be able to honor every veteran at Rosehill. That’s what I want our youth to carry forward from this: that sense of community, of teamwork.”
If your organization or business would like to for a team and Adopt-A-Section of Rosehill to honor its veterans, please visit MinotWreaths.org and click on ADOPT-A-SECTION. For more information, contact Robyn Stoner at MinotWreaths@gmail.com.
