GALT, CA (MPG) - Choppy and cloudy weather couldn’t prevent volunteers from showing respect to Galt’s military veterans during the holiday season by participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Galt Cemetery on Saturday. 

The event, the third annual in Galt, was part of the 18th annual Wreaths Across America event, which honors those who served in the U.S. military dating back to the Revolutionary War by placing wreaths on their graves. 

Robb Roberts, a trustee on the Galt-Arno Cemetery District Board of Directors, said the holidays can be particularly difficult for members of the armed forces and their families and saw the event as a great way to show respect for those who served. 

“I think any way and anything that we can do to honor those who fought for us and died for us; the people who continue to be part of our defense and our nation, I think anyone should try to jump on that and really empathize and put that in the spotlight,” Roberts said. 

Dozens of Galt citizens attended the ceremony, placing some 450 wreaths on the graves of soldiers that fought in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to present-day conflicts. Nationwide, just over 3.1 million wreaths were placed at almost 5,000 participating locations, including 60 that were placed at Hicksville Cemetery a few miles north a day prior. 

The opening ceremony was held indoors due to the weather and began with an invocation from Michael Dubé, pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. He reflected on the theme of the nationwide event — live with purpose — before leading the crowd in prayer. 

“Veterans from every corner of the United States and beyond who have given of themselves for the life we live today, for the freedoms we live today, for the choices we have today, gave with purpose,” Dubé said during his speech. “You are that purpose, and the idea that we can live as we choose.” 

Belinda Ellis, district manager for the cemetery district, then thanked the crowd for “braving the weather” to participate in the event, as well as the people who continue to serve in the military. She encouraged participants to pause to reflect on the importance of the act before placing the wreaths on each grave. 

“Each wreath is a thank you from a grateful America,” Ellis said. 

Sacramento District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume also attended the event and touted Galt’s support for military veterans in a speech to the crowd. 

“When you reflect on Christmas and what it means, and certainly it’s the birth of Jesus Christ, but it’s also more than that,” Hume said. “It’s also about family, love, belonging and comfort, and I think that our veterans, even from the past, deserve to feel that same sense of welcome.” 

Event Coordinator Silvia Van Steyn agreed, stating that despite the town’s population of about 26,000, the town has an oversized representation in the armed forces. 

“Galt is very patriotic,” Van Steyn said. “We are a small little town, and we do take care of each other. When I think of Galt, I think homey; I think we take care of our own.” 

Volunteers were also picked to place wreaths on eight indoor stands representing all of the U.S. military branches and the nearly 94,000 service members that have gone missing in action. Shortly after, residents and volunteers dodged the raindrops to begin adorning some of the nearly 700 military graves that can be found at the cemetery. 

Brian O’Neil, a Galt resident and Army veteran who fought in the Iraq War, has participated in all three events and said he and his wife Jaime O’Neil, their children Joey and Natalie O’Neil, find the same family gravestone to adorn each year before turning their attention to the other graves.

He said no matter the weather, he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to show his respect to his fellow military members.

“They endured far worse than this,” O’Neil said. “So we need to come out and still honor them.” 

Local organizations and individuals can sponsor a wreath for the 2025 ceremony in Galt for $17 by going to wreathsacrossamerica.org/CAGALT.