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Wreaths Across America honors late WWII veteran

Wreaths Across America hosted a ceremony of remembrance at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township on Dec. 18. Photos courtesy of Susan Ignasiak

The first wreath formally placed during the 2021 Wreaths Across America ceremony Dec. 18, at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, was positioned on the gravesite of World War II veteran Eugene Ignasiak.

The Grosse Pointe Woods resident died July 2, 2021, at age 97.

His wife, Dorothy Ignasiak, took part in the ceremony, which also was attended by their daughter, Susan Ignasiak and other family members.

“It exceeded any expectations I had,” Susan Ignasiak said following the presentation, which included a welcome from Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon, as well as words from event organizerKaren Straffon. “All the people there were so sincere.”

A heated tent kept some participants warm and out of the elements, while others trooped through a wet wintery mix without umbrellas.

“We usually have a Coast Guard flyover, but the weather was not conducive to that,” Straffon said.

Top center, World War II veteran Eugene Ignasiak’s gravesite after the fresh wreath was placed.

The event did include a Parade of Flags, carried by some 350 children from 30 different youth groups, including several Boy and Girl Scout troops.

“We want the youth to know what our veterans have done for them,” Straffon said. “They stood around the outside in a circle around the ceremony. There were all different kinds of groups represented.”

The ceremony also included a performance by a bagpiper, a rifle salute and presentations from members of the American Legion Post 4 Color Guard and Honor Guard.

Major Gen. Darren Werner of the U.S. Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command was the keynote speaker.

Dorothy Ignasiak received assistance placing the wreath from re-enactors from the Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society, based out of Eastpointe.

Ignasiak said the ceremony was touching, but also quite emotional for her mother.

“It was a very big deal,” she said. “Mom said by putting the wreath on Dad’s grave first, it was Dad’s way of honoring all of them.

“… I was totally humbled at their graciousness,” she continued. “There are no words. They were there to honor these people and did so by their presence. … Their silence was powerful.”

Straffon, who has raised funds for wreaths and hosted the ceremony at Resurrection the last 10 years, said 3,800 wreaths were placed at the Clinton Township cemetery this year.

“It’s sad because that’s not even a third of the veterans (at Resurrection),” she noted.

Eugene Ignasiak’s gravesite was selected for a variety of reasons.

“We try and look for someone who passed away this last year and is buried in the veterans’ section,” Straffon explained, noting the honor was made greater by the presence of his widow. “It’s to honor her and him both.”

Ignasiak’s wreath was among more than 2.4 million wreaths placed on the headstones of fallen military across the country during National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 18. Similar events took place at 3,136 locations across the country.

Each live balsam wreath is a gift of respect and appreciation, sponsored by an individual or organization and placed on a headstone by volunteers —more than two million nationwide — as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy.