For the past 15 years, loved ones of those who died in military service have gathered in Orange County for a special holiday tradition.
It’s a tree decorating, of sorts, but not with just any old red-and-green bulbous ornaments.
Instead, one by one, the names of those lost are read out, and their family members or loved ones are handed a personalized ornament commemorating the deceased, which they then place on the Christmas tree. It’s a holiday tradition that honors the ultimate sacrifice of these families — and keeps their loved ones’ memories alive.
“It’s something for Gold Star families during the holidays when they may be feeling more lonely or hurt or lost,” said Gary Brattain, who has participated in the ceremony since its beginning in honor of his son, Pfc. Joel Brattain, who was killed in March 2004 in Iraq.
This year’s Honoring Hometown Heroes ceremony will be held at the Yorba Linda Public Library on Sunday, Dec. 7 — and it’s likely to be the last.
Wayne and Cindy Scott, Yorba Linda residents who are both in their 70s, started the tradition in 2010. It was only supposed to be a one-time event, honoring specifically Gold Star families in Orange County post-Sept. 11.
But it was so well-received, and touched so many families, that they decided to keep it going, said Wayne Scott, who is himself a retired Air Force colonel.
From there, it grew.
About 15 families participated that first year — this is an estimate, Scott said; they didn’t realize how monumental an event it would become and didn’t keep all their records from 2010 — and since, they’ve hosted more than 50 families some years. Gold Star families from all around the country, and even Vietnam, have attended, too, to honor their loved ones, Scott said.
They’ve also opened it up to those who may not fall under certain definitions of Gold Star, either.
A father whose daughter was on board United Flight 175, one of the hijacked planes flown into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, has attended the ceremony for several years, Scott said. And then there is a son whose father is still considered unaccounted for in the Korean War, despite reports that he had been killed while a prisoner of war.
“The connection we’ve established with the Gold Star families has been remarkable,” said Scott. “They very much believe that as long as there is some form of recognition of their loved ones, they will never be forgotten.
“That’s why it means a lot to us, because it means a lot to them.”
The tree ceremony had long been held at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, and the Scotts could utilize not only its space but also its staff and fundraising resources.
But since last year, the Scotts have had to find a new venue and take on the majority of the work. There’s sending invitations to families, finding and buying unique ornaments, personalizing each ornament with a special dog tag, securing fundraising and donations for the event and putting together a special PowerPoint presentation, to name just a few of their planning duties.
There are volunteers, of course, Wayne Scott noted, particularly several of Cindy Scott’s fellow Nixon Library docents.
But Cindy Scott is experiencing some health issues, her husband said, and they’ve decided to make this year their last putting on the event.
“It’s been a labor of love, but it does take us months to do it,” said Wayne Scott.
“While we love the Gold Star families and love how they’ve received the ceremony, we simply decided we couldn’t continue to do it,” he said.
Brattain, whose wife, Elaine Brattain, is also very involved in helping Gold Star families, said the ceremony has served as a holiday tradition for many families who don’t live in communities that honor lost service members.
“No one wants to remember war; no one wants to remember loss,” Gary Brattain, of Brea, said. “We have a saying, ‘If you say their names, it keeps them alive.’ When they do a ceremony like this, and they call out their names, they’re alive. They’re still there for that family.”
Sunday’s Honoring Hometown Heroes event is open to the public. It will be held at Yorba Linda Public Library, 4852 Lakeview Ave., at 1 p.m., and will honor 45 families, said Cindy Scott.
The Troy High School Navy Junior ROTC will present the colors, with music provided by the Band of the California Battalion, Southern California’s Civil War reenactment band. Rear Adm. Ronne Froman, the first woman to command U.S. Navy Region Southwest, is scheduled to be the guest presenter.
Like many other events and plans and activities, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the Honoring Hometown Heroes ceremony in 2020, and the Scotts took a step back the following year because Cindy Scott had a major health crisis. Some Gold Star families stepped up and took it over that year, Wayne Scott recalled.
“Is someone else going to pick it up after this year? I do not know,” Scott said.