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Beyond the Byline: A Santa tale worth retelling

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Look Back: Judge Kosek, 46, died of heart attack in 1928

DALLAS &mdash; Wreaths were laid and a prayer said at 16 cemeteries around the Wyoming Valley as members from a number of American Legions and motorcycle clubs around the county banded together to ensure that the area&rsquo;s fallen veterans are not forgotten this holiday season.
				Entitled &ldquo;Wreaths for Heroes,&rdquo; the idea was spun off of the national &ldquo;Wreaths Across America&rdquo; campaign, but with a local twist.
				&ldquo;COVID put a wrench in our usual plans, but we still wanted to honor our veterans,&rdquo; said Brian Dougherty, an American Legion member and member of the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club. &ldquo;We wanted to do something positive in this negative situation.&rdquo;
				In addition to Legion members and riders from Dallas, Harveys Lake and Kingston, the event was also aided and supported by the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) chapter of Luzerne County as well as the Pride, Second Brigade, Iron Valor and Wyoming Valley motorcycle clubs.
				&ldquo;Everyone had a hand in putting this together,&rdquo; Dougherty said.
				Before the riders dispersed to head out to the cemeteries, a small ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 672 in Dallas to bless the wreaths. A ceremonial wreath was on display in the parking lot of the Legion, with ribbons honoring each of the six branches of the military.
				The ceremony was led by Chief Master Sergeant June Hall, a member of the Harveys Lake American Legion riders and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
				&ldquo;Veterans know, probably better than anyone else, that around the holidays some tables will have empty seats,&rdquo; Hall said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s important that we never forget those who laid down their lives for our country.&rdquo;
				Former Post 672 commander Art Parks also offered a few words of thanks to the gathered volunteers, and also played &ldquo;Taps&rdquo; while the wreath was blessed and the colors presented by members of the Riders.
				Once the ceremony at Post 672 was completed, the Legion members broke into three groups to head out to the cemeteries, some in the Back Mountain, some near Kingston and Plymouth and some going as far as Dorrance to lay the wreaths.
				The ceremony was formally concluded outside the Luzerne County Courthouse after all 16 cemeteries had been visited.

Wreaths honor veterans