Members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter Sons of the American Revolution participated in the 2024 Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Saturday, December 14 at the Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mt Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ. In addition to the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR, numerous other organizations were in attendance at the event to honor the 1650 veterans buried at the cemetery.
The chapter’s sponsor website helped obtain 30 wreaths from generous members and friends for the event.
Members in attendance at the chilly and solemn event, to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom, were Jeff La Marca, President, George Link, Sergeant at Arms, and his wife Madeline and Ellis Bailey and his wife Bobbi, a member of the Morristown Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The event aligned well with the mission of the SAR to promote patriotism, preserve American history, promote education to inspire future generations about the founding principles, and serve our communities. For 2024, more than 4200 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad were scheduled to participate in Wreaths Across America, along with more than 5000 sponsor organizations. The event was a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom.
The colors were presented with musical accompaniment.
Ellis, Jeff and George placed wreaths at veterans’ graves and spoke their name in remembrance. Madeline (picture not available) and Bobbi, likewise, place wreaths and spoke the veterans’ names. George was surprised to find the grave site of a veteran cousin, Albert Batten, and honored Albert by placing a wreath on his grave, and speaking his name.