‘A hero remembered never dies’: Rain couldn’t keep 150 from honoring veterans with wreaths at Keystone Heights

Posted 12/21/23

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – As the rain slowly turned from pesky to drenching, retired U.S. Marine Gayward Hendry never balked. His jaw remained chiseled; his words remained poignant; his resolve remained …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.

If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.

Don't have an ID?

Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

‘A hero remembered never dies’: Rain couldn’t keep 150 from honoring veterans with wreaths at Keystone Heights

The threat of rain didn’t dampen the patriotic duties of more than 150 people at the Keystone Heights Cemetery. Retired U.S. Marine Gayward Hendry provided a powerful recollection of what it means to remember the memories of soldiers. The Wreaths Across America ceremony included songs from the Keystone Heights Elementary Chorus and the ceremonial laying of wreaths at every veteran’s grade.

STAFF PHOTOS BY DON COBLE

Posted Thursday, December 21, 2023 12:05 pm

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com

Saturday’s Wreath Across America honored and remembered veterans at more than 3,400 cemeteries nationwide. For a soldier like Hendry, respect for the military really was service above self.

“There may be a day when we can’t do this. With all of the things going on in this country, you don’t know,” he said. “But today is not that day!”

Hendry was the keynote speaker at the Keystone Heights Cemetery for the annual remembrance. Keystone Heights Wreaths Across America Chair Tina Bullock spearheaded a year of fundraising to ensure every veteran in the city’s cemetery received a fresh evergreen wreath at their gravesite.

“Our mission today is to recognize the fall, honor those that serve and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Bullock said.

“At our Keystone Heights Cemetery, we have over 560 veterans laid to rest here.”

Bullock said the organization is funded solely by “folks like us.”

Because the December storm was approaching, Bullock said wreaths were laid at the Bradford County side of the cemetery before Saturday’s program. Also, wire stands were erected in advance at graves so families, fellow veterans and residents could quickly find each site.

The Keystone Heights Elementary Chorus sang patriotic songs at the beginning and end of the ceremony. Hendry thanked them and reminded everyone the young singers represented the future of the country.

The rain started midway into Gayward’s address. But like most, he didn’t walk away.

“It’s a poor nation that has no heroes,” he said. “But it’s a poorer nation that fails to honor its heroes.

“A hero remembered never dies.”

Australian native Joan Jones helped create the Veterans Memorial Pathway at the cemetery in 2006, and she followed that by starting a local Wreaths Across America program in 2012. Jones died in 2022. She was 95.

But her legacy – and the community’s commitment to remember its veterans – continues.