Members of the North Country Veterans Association, as well as veterans and their families gathered in front of the Trinity Park War Memorial this past Monday, December 7th, for the 40th-annual Lights of Memory Wreath Service.
Started by the Gold Star Mothers, the service was originally held to honor fallen veterans and the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ceremony has expanded now to remember all who have served their country in all branches of the military.
The lights have become a festive, holiday tradition in downtown Plattsburgh. The patriotic red, white, and blue lights each have their own meaning with red representing the loss of fallen comrades, white, the diligence in recovering prisoners of war and missing in action soldiers, and blue represents the living veterans, their families and support for active-duty military personnel.
Wreaths are also placed on all 4 sides of the fence around the War Memorial.