For some families, the holiday season means gathering with grandpas, grandmas, uncles and cousins to exchange presents and watch classic movies, but for the McGill family, holiday traditions came second to serving one’s country.
Local Augustan and veteran Allen McGill said he grew up with a dedicated father who gave all for protecting the U.S. – including his health.
After serving in the Army for 26 years, including two tours in Vietnam, Sgt. Maj. Ronald E. McGill died in June 2002 of a fatal cancer that went untreated for several years.
“Dad did not get the help immediately when he was sick. He did get the help years later, but I believe that if he had gotten it sooner, he would still be here today,” said McGill. “I still miss him dearly, and he’s been gone for over 20 years now.”
The past few years, McGill said he remembers his father’s sacrifice by participating in Harlem’s Wreaths Across America Ceremony, which recently celebrated its third annual gathering.
“All the boys were in the military on my dad’s side of the family. All my uncles were in the military; I was in the military and so remembering them is something near and dear to my heart,” said McGill.
After being contacted by Valerie Wingate, one of the founders and organizers of Harlem’s Wreaths Across America, McGill said he was honored to be a part of the cause.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. They’re trying to teach the younger generation what it means to be free,” he said. “Today’s generation does not understand what it means to have a free country.”
McGill, who also lost an uncle as a prisoner of war in Korea, said Wreaths Across America created an opportunity for people to purposefully stop and remember those who gave up everything – including family members like his grandparents who died never knowing what happened to their son.
“I wish more people took the time to stop and appreciate them,” he said.
With approximately 150 volunteers at this year’s wreath ceremony, which occurred on Saturday, Dec. 16, to honor all branches of the Armed Forces, McGill said he was amazed at the turnout and believed his dad would’ve felt emotional at the sight of so many honoring the fallen.
“It would make him cry,” said McGill. “It’s really touching for me because I’ve seen so many [soldiers].”
Wingate, a Air Force veteran herself, said she brought the national ceremony to Harlem because she also felt a need to educate youth and adults about the value of freedom and the countless families who have sacrificed to protect it.
“It’s about remembering those who have passed, honoring those who have served and teaching the next generation,” Wingate said. “When people lay a wreath on a grave they’re supposed to say that person’s name and then take a moment to thank them … but I was just in awe on Saturday with how many people came.”
Describing the day as emotional, Wingate said the ceremony was a testament to Harlem’s community and love.
Mayor Roxanne Whitaker, who annually starts off the ceremony with a speech, said she was thrilled at how many youth participated in placing down wreaths on tombstones while taking a moment to remember a passed soldier.
“I think it’s very important that we teach our children the importance of what soldiers have sacrificed to give us all the freedoms that we have. I think we’ve lost that in our history lessons,” she said. “Just paying respect to those who fought for us and died in war – they lived a life serving our country.”
Whitaker said she was even heartwarmed to see a saluting father and his very young daughter pray over one grave.
“It was overwhelming,” she said.
As volunteers drive the wreaths to various cemeteries around the nation and many hosting the ceremony on Dec. 16 at noon, McGill said everyone’s effort made the annual project’s community akin to one family who can bond over their grief.
“It’s one big family that does everything they can to honor our veterans who are no longer with us or are still here and need to be remembered,” said McGill. “It’s a big deal … we really want to get this program a lot bigger and bigger that way more people will understand why we do what we do.”
With 330 wreaths sponsored this year, Wingate said individuals interested in donating can still sponsor a wreath online for $17.
“Any that get sponsored, above the 330 wreaths that we need, go towards next year’s count,” she said. “The Wreaths Across America organization is also matching our wreaths this year, so for every wreath that gets purchased they’re giving us one free, and because they already give us one wreath for every two bought, we are actually getting five wreaths for every two sponsored between now until the middle of January.”
To sponsor a wreath in Harlem or learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/170340/overview/?relatedId=0.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
