Tracey and John Henson were among the 50 volunteers placing wreaths on veterans' graves during Monee's Wreaths Across American ceremony. John Henson said he got home from work at 8 a.m., grabbed a couple hours of sleep, and then headed over to the St. Paul Cemetery for the event. He is a Navy veteran, serving from 1989-92. Tracey's father was a Vietnam-era Marine but is very private and wouldn't want his name used. He was also a 30-year plus police officer. Her brother is a retired Marine, also. –Photo by Karen Haave.
By Karen Haave
Participants from as far away as Wisconsin and Missouri placed memorial wreaths on veterans graves at Monee’s St. Paul Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day, joining the mission to honor the nation’s military heroes.
One hundred wreaths were placed on veterans’ headstones at the cemetery, many purchased by volunteers who have no one buried there.
Christi Holston, president of the Monee Historical Society, welcomed the crowd, but kept her comments brief because of the bitter cold.
The Crete-Monee High School ROTC served as Color Guard for the second annual Wreaths Across America at Monee’s St. Paul Cemetery. After the ceremony, they placed the memorial circlets on veterans’ graves. –Photo by Karen Haave.
“Thank you for joining us here today,” she said.
“This year, across the country, at more than 2,700 participating locations like this one, there are millions of Americans gathering as one nation to Remember, Honor, and Teach. 
“Today, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and active-duty service members, who fight to protect the liberty we all too often take for granted.”
She asked all of the veterans present to step forward to be recognized. 
“ We honor you and your families for the sacrifices you have made to keep our country safe,” she said,  
Holston later noted that one family participating came from Wisconsin and another family was from Missouri.
“They both said they wanted their kids to participate in a wreath laying ceremony, and the ones near them were so packed they didn’t get a chance to help,” she said.
“They were very happy to have been able to share the importance of the day with their children and teach them about selfless sacrifice and duty to your fellow man.  
“We were honored that they were there.”
Monee residents Tracey and John Henson were among those placing wreaths. John Henson is a Navy veteran, and Tracey’s father and brother are both retired Marines.
“I was standing outside thinking, wow, it’s cold out here, really cold,” he said.
“I then thought about the countless veterans who suffered through the cold and the heat, slept in holes in the ground, and all for our freedom. Kind of puts it in perspective to be honoring our Monee veterans by placing wreaths for an hour or so in the freezing, right? It’s the least we can do for our freedom.
“Seeing these people from all different walks of life, young and old, come out to honor our veterans by placing wreaths on their graves really warms the soul, gives you a great sense of pride for our community. It shows even though these veterans may be gone, they’re never forgotten. It’s a great thing for our men and women to volunteer their selves to fight, serve, and even die for our country, if necessary. That sacrifice should never be taken for granted or forgotten,” he said.
During the ceremony, two Monee veterans, who passed away this year and are now buried at St Paul’s, also were recognized,
“Lloyd Buchmeier, who grew up in Monee and served in the army during the Korean conflict, and Frank Bishop, who was a veteran of WWII and served in the European Theater, were honored,” Holston said.
“Frankie landed in France on D-Day. He was a dear friend, and the Monee Historical Society was fortunate to have recorded some of his reminiscences. We hope to talk with more of our honored veterans and record their stories in the coming year.
“All of us involved with the WAA program at St Paul’s are honored to be able to show our respects to those who have served their country. It is our mission to never forget the names and stories of these local heroes.
“The Wreaths Across America in Monee is sponsored by St Paul’s Cemetery, Sauk Trail Chapter of the DAR, and supported by the Monee Historical Society, Monee Legion Post #1200, and the Monee Women’s Auxiliary Post 1200. We thank all of these organizations for banding together to make the event possible.”
The 100th Illinois Infantry Re-enactors were the Honor Guard, under Captain Tim Marcus  Captain Company K, and gave the rifle and cannon salute.
Crete-Monee High School ROTC, under the direction of Petty Officer Vernon Reed, served as Color Guard. They were Arthur McFadden, Thomas Ajaj, Bianca Mecoul, Oghenemine Ekasa, Ricardo Guzman, Jack Forrest, Sinclaire Bell, Andrew Mosley, and Melissa Powell.
Sheila Langenfeld, Chaplain Monee Women’s Auxiliary, offered the Prayer of Dedication, and Rachel White, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sauk Trail Chapter, read the names of the veterans buried at the cemetery.
Light refreshments followed in the Fellowship Hall at St. Paul United Church of Christ.