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Northwest Indiana members of the Daughters of the American Revolution braved Valley Forge-esque weather for an abbreviated ceremony Saturday to place wreaths honoring veterans at Luther Cemetery.

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A U.S. Marine Corps JROTC color guard from Portage High School performed their duties with bare hands despite the 14-degree weather and snow flurries.

Kathlynn Kinnear-Hewitt, a member of the William Henry Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, lays a wreath Saturday at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso in memory of those who served in the armed forces. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)
Kathlynn Kinnear-Hewitt, a member of the William Henry Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, lays a wreath Saturday at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso in memory of those who served in the armed forces. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

The DAR’s William Henry Harrison Chapter chose the small cemetery for the service after a lengthy service project to clean markers and restore some of them.

In addition to wreaths on the veterans’ graves, the DAR laid wreaths in memory of those who served and are serving in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Doug McGriff, of the Duneland Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, laid a wreath in honor of members from all branches of the military whose last known status was either prisoners of war or missing in action so they will not be forgotten.

“We have decided to celebrate this every day on the coldest day of the year,” Chuck Harris, of Bartholomew Funeral Home, quipped. Bartholomew oversees the cemetery.

Doug McGriff, a member of the Duneland Chapter of the Sons of American Revolution, takes off his hat Saturday after laying a wreath in memory of prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)
Doug McGriff, a member of the Duneland Chapter of the Sons of American Revolution, takes off his hat Saturday after laying a wreath in memory of prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

“As we place these wreaths, we do more than decorate these graves. We carry forward the stories, the courage and the sacrifice of the men and women who served this nation,” he said. “They stood for something greater than themselves, and today we stand in gratitude for them.”

“This ceremony always touches me deeply,” Harris said. “There’s something about the stillness of this place, the names etched in stone and the quiet unity of all of us standing here that reminds us that freedom in not abstract. It is personal, and it has a cost, and it lives on because of those we serve and remember.

“May we leave here inspired to live with some sense of purpose and dedication that they have demonstrated,” he said.

It’s important to make sure no veteran is forgotten, Harris said.

A wreath lies in front of the grave of Civil War veteran Solomon Mott at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)
A wreath lies in front of the grave of Civil War veteran Solomon Mott at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

Wreaths Across America was established as a nonprofit in 2007. By 2016, more than 1.2 million wreaths were placed on graves across America. Now it’s spread to more than 5,600 locations, DAR member Gabrielle Eckhardt said.

Jason Zimmer played “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes, followed by Lance Bauer playing Taps after retrieving his horn from his car, where he was keeping it warm.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.