Ken Dalecki, Department of District of Columbia Vice Commander and Herman Rip Preston, D.C. Post 8 Commander lay a wreath made of nearly 10,000 poppies donated by supporters across the country at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., on Friday, February 24. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.

A solemn ceremony on sacred ground

As Department of the District of Columbia Legionnaire Kenneth Dalecki stood at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier last week, his mind focused on members of his family who had worn the nation’s uniform.

Dalecki, senior vice commander of the department and commander of the National Press Club’s American Legion Post 20, joined Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 Commander Herman “Rip” Preston Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery for a special wreath-laying ceremony on Feb. 24.

“My thoughts during the ceremony went to my late brother, Robert Dalecki, a proud member of the Legion who won the Bronze Star during the Third Army's thrust into Germany in World War II, and to my cousin, Ralph Suchting, a member of the 82nd Airborne who nearly perished during the Battle of the Bulge,” said Kenneth.

Through a national fundraising program, Legionnaires have the opportunity to donate when they respond to a mailer that includes a small poppy. Upon being returned with a donation, the poppies are assembled into a wreath – the same wreath that was presented at Arlington Feb. 24.

“It was a great honor for representatives of the Department of the District of Columbia to present a wreath on behalf of The American Legion and thousands of its supporters who contributed fundraiser poppies used to make the wreath for a solemn ceremony,” Dalecki said. “Arlington is sacred ground for all Americans and for all who appreciate the sacrifices generations of Americans in uniform have made in defense of freedom and human dignity around the world.”