Fort Ontario Participates in Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 13

OSWEGO COUNTY – Fort Ontario State Historic Site reminds people to come out and commemorate National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 13. The ceremony begins at noon in front of the enlisted men’s barracks inside the old stone fort. The program is free and all ages are welcome.

Wreaths Across America (WAA) Location Coordinator Corey King announced a program change to this event as the original keynote speaker is no longer able to attend the ceremony. Therefore, Captain Robert “R.J.” Raffanti, Company Commander of the Syracuse Recruiting Company, has graciously agreed to step in and participate in this year’s event.

After joining the U.S. Army in 2011, Raffanti went on to achieve the rank of sergeant and was designated a Howitzer Crew Chief. In 2018, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army’s field artillery branch. He also holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in nuclear physics and one in management, from the U.S. Military Academy, along with a master’s degree in leadership and management from Webster University.

His past assignments include U.S. Forces Korea and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) out of Fort Drum, N.Y. He was also deployed in support of several contingency operations such as Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Throughout his military career, Raffanti has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Award, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Valorous Unit Citation, Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, Order of the Spur, Combat Action Badge, Expert Soldier Badge, Army Air Assault Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge.

Following his keynote speech, Capt. Raffanti will join C. King and WAA Co-Location Coordinator Howard King in reading the names of those interred in the Post Cemetery. Then, all attendees will take part in the “Parade of Wreaths,” carrying them to the Post Cemetery, led by the Fort Ontario Color Guard. At the cemetery entrance, the ceremony will formally conclude with closing statements by C. King and H. King, a benediction and the sounding of “Taps” by Emily King.

Following the ceremony at Fort Ontario, head over to the Town of Scriba for its Wreaths Across America Day Ceremony. It begins at 2 p.m. at North Scriba Union Cemetery, county Route 1 in Oswego. The location coordinator is Paul Fischer of Nine Mile Point. For more information, email [email protected].

For program updates, follow the Wreaths Across America at the Fort Ontario Post Cemetery Facebook page.

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