Remembering veterans with Wreaths Across America

Two area organizations will honor veterans who were laid to rest during a Wreaths Across America Day observance Dec. 18.

Volunteers are working to ensure that all veterans laid to rest in St. John’s Catholic, Sacred Heart Catholic, St. Mary’s Orthodox, Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran, and Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox cemeteries near Central City, are honored.

Also, Dan and Patty Kelley, who were instrumental in getting the wreaths and holding the ceremony in 2019 at the historic Newbury Cemetery, just west of Addison along Route 40, The National Pike, said it will return this year after being canceled last year.

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Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that was founded with the plan to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization's mission is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 2,900 participating locations in all 50 states and overseas.

The longest veterans’ parade — Wreaths Across America’s annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery — kicked off Dec. 11. National President of American Gold Star Mothers Inc. (AGSM) Jo Ann Maitland and President Emeritus of Gold Star Wives of America Inc. (GSW) Nancy Menagh led the caravan as this year's co-grand marshals.

The official escort traveled the East Coast stopping at schools, memorials and other locations along the way to spread the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

Participants for this year’s convoy include Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, veterans, volunteers, and members of the Patriot Guard Riders and Patriot Riders. Law enforcement from departments across Maine and other states along the route will provide escort to ensure safe transport for all participants throughout the week.

Central City area

Susanna Cook Tent 61, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865 (DUVCW) will be hosting the Central City event. The cemeteries are located on all four corners of an intersection in Central City. Two of the cemeteries are small and share one corner. All veterans, active-duty military and their families, as well as the local community, are invited to attend and learn more about Wreaths Across America’s yearlong mission.

The goal is to raise awareness and to sell sponsorships for wreaths to be placed on 431 headstones to honor every veteran at the five Central City cemeteries.

"​​​​Several of our members have participated in Wreaths Across America ceremonies over the last several years," said Daryl Reed, co-chairperson of Wreaths Across America and secretary of the Susanna Cook Tent DUVCW, in an email. "A couple have helped at the ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery where their uncles are buried. Several have helped at local ceremonies in both Portage and Ebensburg. As a patriotic organization, our group decided we wanted to try our own ceremony this year."

Newbury Cemetery

The historic Newbury Cemetery was restored by and is under the care and maintenance of the Old Petersburg-Addison Historical Society Inc. The event was canceled last year because of bad weather and COVID.

Host Dan Kelley said he was inspired in 2019 to start this program locally because his and wife Patty's son, Patrick passed away in 2002 and is buried in the cemetery.

Kelley said he was also inspired after attending a ceremony at Indiantown Gap National Veterans Cemetery in 2019.

"They did 42,000 wreaths in less than 2 hours," he said. "The wreaths were laid out in boxes and the people went to the boxes and took the wreaths to place on the grave. After placing it, then you stand there for about a minute. It's to take that time to think about what you're doing."

This year the ceremony will be held at noon Dec. 18, at the Newbury Cemetery. Eleven veterans are interred in the cemetery and their names will be called out as 11 members of the audience place a wreath on their grave.

"Last time a relative of the oldest veteran in the cemetery, from the Revolutionary War, showed up," Kelley said. "He was in his 80s and stayed and talked with us a while."

The Rev. Sam McClintock from the Methodist Church in Addison will be the principal speaker. Chairs will be available for seating.

Remember, Honor, Teach

“With each local event held across the country, volunteers help build community awareness and understanding of the organization’s year-long mission to Remember, Honor, Teach,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.

“However, in light of the current health crisis, we feel events like this one have taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and fun, while supporting and giving back to the community when it is needed most.”

Volunteers and supporters of the DUVCW work throughout the year to honor the veterans through fundraising events, projects, and services that better the community, which in turn helps grow awareness for the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, and generate wreath sponsorships for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day.

In total, nearly 257,000 sponsored wreaths are needed to reach the goal of placing a wreath on every eligible marker at Arlington National Cemetery. The organization places more than 1.7 million sponsored wreaths at 2,557 participating locations nationwide and offers other programs throughout the calendar year.

Experience of a lifetime

“For those who have had the opportunity to participate in the escort of wreaths over the years, it is truly an experience of a lifetime,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, WAA. “The way we and the mission are welcomed into communities, with flags waving and streets lined with children and veterans, is something we always wished every American could witness. This year we’re hoping that supporters will once again join us in lining the roadways safely and welcome the mission into their communities.”

To sponsor a veteran’s wreath for Arlington, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/ARLING. Note, volunteers placing wreaths at Arlington will be required to preregister this year and show proof of registration on Wreath Day.

For more information, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Wreaths Across America programs in Somerset County