Last month, Lompoc Odd Fellows Lodge No. 248 sponsored wreaths for Wreaths Across America. Specifically, we donated $161 to cover the nearly 20 members of our Lodge who are military service veterans buried in our section of Lompoc Cemetery. Today was our opportunity to take those wreaths and lay them at the headstones.
Pictured here is our contingent who showed up to lay these wreaths. From left to right is Airianna Hunt, their child, and to her left husband William Hunt in the back. Up front is Ashley Holding and her husband Keith Holding is to her left. All the way to the right is Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch Joseph Benton. Airianna, William, and Ashley were recently voted in to be members of the Lodge and they will be taking their Initiatory Degree this week!
Despite the rain, it was a very moving and poignant event. Initially, the rain and wind destroyed the pop-up tent at the Bill Proud veterans memorial in Lompoc Cemetery and so the ceremony was immediately moved to the shelter instead. Dozens of attendees disbursed across the cemetery to take wreaths in the boxes shown and lay them on headstones marked with an orange flag (pictured). We were instructed to say the name of the veteran aloud and then spend a moment in gratitude for their service before moving on until all the wreaths were distributed across the entire cemetery.
We would like to thank Deni Overton from the Rancho Purisima Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, who hosts this event, for inviting our Lodge to participate. Deni also invited Joseph Benton to be the representative for the wreath laid for all his fellow Marine Corps veterans buried at the cemetery.
Wreaths Across America started in 1992 at Arlington National Cemetery. It has grown to include over 4,600 cemeteries in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. This year over two million volunteers are expected to participate in this moving event.
Lodge members were so moved that they have agreed to do this again next year as well!
See you again in December 2025!
