Trail Life troop lays wreaths for Revolutionary War soldiers in Salem
An obscure Salem cemetery where three Revolutionary War soldiers are buried got some much-needed attention on Saturday, despite persistent rain and temperatures in the high 30s.
Members of Trail Life Troop 2717 of Export laid seven wreaths at the Lessig Riddle Cemetery on Mark Drive in conjunction with the Wreaths Across America campaign.
“We wanted to do this as an act of service to honor and remember the veterans buried at the cemetery, but also all the veterans who have served our country,” said Troopmaster Joe Eveges.
The 25-member troop adopted the cemetery in the spring for a service project that involved landscaping and the installation of a new fence. Eveges said the work was intended as a support to property owner Byron Scott and neighbor John Kilpatrick, both whom have taken care of the cemetery, and was coordinated through Joe Krill, post commander for Delmont American Legion Post 247.
“We’re just trying to do our part to help them. They’ve done more than we have,” Eveges said.
The troop then decided to register the cemetery with Wreaths Across America, an initiative that started in 1992 as a way to place Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery — especially an older section that received few visitors. The effort has since expanded to include cemeteries across the country.
On Saturday, Troop 2717 began the wreath-laying ceremony with a flag-raising ceremony, which was followed by prepared remarks given by lead scout Justus Carnley, 16, of Export.
Troop members hung seven wreaths on the fence, one for each branch of military service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine — and one for the POW-MIA cause.
Members of American Legion Post 247 and Delmont VFW Post 481 read the names of three Revolutionary War veterans who are known to be buried at the cemetery — Capt. James Christy, Pvt. Robert Riddle and Pvt. John Riddle.
“Let it be known that the three fallen comrades who are buried in the cemetery, who fought in our Revolutionary War, will never be forgotten,” Krill said.
Troop 2717 is affiliated with Trail Life USA, a faith-based alternative to the Boy Scouts of America founded in 2013.
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