Resident Joyce Sand worked with Edgewood’s Life Enrichment staff and three other residents to craft the wreaths that were distributed during a ceremony that included rededication of an updated veterans wall.

“We laughed and we talked about a lot of things,” Sand said of the couple of months that she and the other women spent making 17 wreaths for resident veterans. “We thought it was a purpose we needed to do.”

Violet Olson, Sandy Henry and Val Bohlig also worked on the wreaths. Bohlig, whose husband served in Korea, was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 55 years.

“It’s just been very important,” she said of all the projects the auxiliary was involved in for veterans over those years.

Watching as wreaths are presented at Edgewood on Friday, Aug. 29, are wreath-making residents, from left, Violet Olson, Joyce Sand, Sandy Henry and Val Bohlig. Jill Schramm/MDN

“It’s just something that’s been part of my life for so many years, and I was so happy to be working on these,” Bohlig said of the wreaths. Her hope is that people who stop in at Edgewood see the wreaths and recognize the sacrifices veterans made, she said.

“Freedom doesn’t come free. Somebody paid the price,” she said.

Army veteran Richard Muus, who served in Korea, voiced his appreciation for the amount of work that went into making the wreaths. “Beautiful” is how veterans Norris Abrahamson and Marvin Hagen described their wreaths.

Abrahamson, who served four years in the National Guard more than 60 years ago, said military service was an adventure.

“You just did it. You didn’t even think about it,” he said. “You got the call to go and away you went.”

Jill Schramm/MDN Ronald Jordre, a National Guard veteran, accepts the wreath presented by Kathy Craft with the Life Enrichment activities program at Edgewood on Friday, Aug 29.

Hagen said he appreciates the recognition, although he personally did not fight overseas. His 10 years of service in the Army Reserves kept him in Minot. However, he said, his experience has heightened his respect for others who serve, which is why he makes a point of thanking the veterans and military members he meets.