Doherty High School naval cadets Logan Hassell and Lillian Baker salute the headstone of Petty Officer Daniel T. Griffin, who is believed to be the first American killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Courtesy of Greg Thomas
For two years, cadets from Doherty High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps have participated in National Wreaths Across America Day, laying wreaths on the headstones of fallen American service members interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.
In 2018 and 2019, dozens of cadets attended the annual ceremony and laid hundreds of wreaths. This year, however, COVID-19 restrictions kept them from participating.
“We’re extremely disappointed that we weren’t able to participate as a unit,” said retired Navy Capt. Greg Thomas, who heads the cadet corps. “The kids absolutely love doing it.”
Lori Shumate tears up after placing a remembrance wreath on her son’s grave, Colin Patrick Shumate, 2nd Lieutenant of the United States Air Force, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Staff Sgt. Beverly Brinkley lays a veteran’s wreath in memory of those who served and are serving in the United States Air Force, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Debbie Lombardi places a remembrance wreath on her husband’s grave, Captain Alan Lombardi of the United States Air Force, who was killed in a motor-glider crash in 1984, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year 1,350 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves by family, service members and volunteers with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Charlene Tackett fluffs flowers on the gave site of her sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia Diane Pickett and Donald F. Pickett Jr., Major United States Air Force, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year 1,350 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves by family, service members and volunteers with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Captain Mike McGrath, Navy veteran and a Vietnam prisoner of war for six years, lays a veteran’s wreath in honor of the 93,129 United States servicemen whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Susie Brodeur lays a wreath in remembrance of Gold Star families during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Brodeur lost her husband, Air Force Maj. David Brodeur, after he was killed in action in April 2011 during a deployment to Afghanistan. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Lori Shumate tears up after placing a remembrance wreath on her son’s grave, Colin Patrick Shumate, 2nd Lieutenant of the United States Air Force, during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Barbara Berry visits her friend’s grave, Ross Alan LaTorra, Captain United States Air Force, after placing a remembrance wreath during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Senior Airman Joshua Silva with the Air Force Academy Band, prepares to play the bugle during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Col. Otis Jones, Air Force Academy’s Vice Superintendent, speaks during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Col. Otis Jones, Air Force Academy’s Vice Superintendent, salutes Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, Air Force Academy’s first Superintendent, after laying a remembrance wreath in his honor during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Col. Otis Jones, Air Force Academy’s Vice Superintendent, salutes Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, Air Force Academy’s first Superintendent, after laying a remembrance wreath in his honor during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Barbara Berry visits her friend’s grave, Ross Alan LaTorra, Captain United States Air Force, after placing a remembrance wreath during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Col. Otis Jones, Air Force Academy’s Vice Superintendent, speaks during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Barbara Berry visits her friend’s grave, Alan LaTorra, Captain United States Air Force, after placing a remembrance wreath during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Barbara Berry visits her friend’s grave, Ross Alan LaTorra, Captain United States Air Force, after placing a remembrance wreath during the National Wreaths Across America Day at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The annual event is to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes. This year, 1,350 wreaths were placed by family, services members, and volunteers on veterans’ graves with the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Volunteers laid wreaths at six cemeteries in El Paso County. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Despite the restrictions, Thomas felt compelled to honor the fallen veterans’ sacrifice in some way, so on Monday, cadets Logan Hassell and Lillian Baker laid a Christmas wreath on the grave of Petty Officer First Class Daniel T. Griffin, the first Coloradan and possibly the first American killed in the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that precipitated America’s involvement in World War II.
Griffin, a graduate of Colorado Springs High School (now Palmer High School) and former Gazette employee, was shot down from a plane as he attempted to defend the Hawaii naval base from the initial attack. He was posthumously cited for his bravery and the USS Daniel T. Griffin, a destroyer escort, was commissioned in his honor in 1943.
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at “more than 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad,” according to their website. The goal of the nonprofit is to honor military members and their families by placing “a wreath on each hero’s grave.”
It is difficult to predict what American life will look like a year from now, even with a coronavirus vaccine in its initial stage of distribution, but Thomas plans to decorate Griffin’s grave next year, no matter what.
“We will lay a wreath on his grave, from now until forever,” Thomas said.
