We would like to thank the committee that worked so hard in preparation for Lake County’s third annual laying of the “Wreaths Across America” tribute to our fallen heroes at the Veterans Circle in Hartley Cemetery on Dec. 12, 2009.

We would also like to thank the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts of Lake County, the Royal Rangers from the Lakeport Christian Center and the Patriot Guard for their participation, which really added to the presentation of the wreaths, Bob Driskell for his hard work in coordinating the participation of all the Scout Troops.

Others efforts that made this tribute a success included the hard work from members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 951, United Veterans Council of Lake County for funding the handheld American Flags that all in attendance proudly held, and American Legion post 194.

We can’t thank Rich Feiro, Woody Hughes and the Military Funeral Honors Team enough for all their help and participation by giving a full Military Honor presentation during the ceremony. We would also like to thank Robin Humphrey of the Record-Bee and Elizabeth Larson of the Lake County News for their help in promoting the wreath laying ceremony.

The Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Main, over the past 16 years has donated over 105,000 Fresh Wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, in other country’s with U.S. Military Cemetery’s and aboard U.S. Ships at sea. This year, they donated fresh wreaths to over 350 locations in the U.S. including Lake County. We thank them for their generous donation.

Thanks again to all. Looking forward to a bigger and better ceremony on Dec. 11, 2010.

Slick and Sandy Hultquist work with the Patriot Guard Riders, the Missing in America Project and the Wreaths Across America. They live in Lakeport.