Breaking News
Community

Wreaths Across America event remembers

By JULIE STENGER 5 min read

At noon on Dec. 16, more than 4,225 locations across the country united and honored our nation's heroes. From Arlington National Cemetery, to local cemeteries throughout the Tri-State Area, communities stopped and remembered the more than 3 million veterans who have died during the annual Wreaths Across America event.

National officials thanked the communities, dedicated volunteers and sponsors who united to support those who protected our freedoms.

"Each person has played a part in this year-long mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom," stated Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across America executive director. "What I love most about this day and this mission, is that it is so much more than just the placement of a wreath.

"The wreath is the catalyst. It brings together communities -- families and strangers, to learn about those who have served and sacrificed," Worcester continued. "We have more than 3 million volunteers across the country. One-third of them are children. This mission and the events happening today provide the opportunity to teach kids about what freedom is."

"For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used to symbolize honor and a living tribute renewed annually," she said. "Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military and their families. When volunteers say the name of a veteran aloud while placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our hearts and memories and are always remembered."

Locally, several volunteers spent the day at surrounding cemeteries.

Wendy Barr, a volunteer location coordinator who assists in the combined Wreaths Across America service held annually at Harding Stadium, explained officials were on a mission to cover the more than 8,125 graves of veterans laid to rest, locally.

Barr was there when semi trucks delivered boxes of wreaths to several area cemeteries on Dec. 12. Volunteers worked to remove the dozens of boxes and place them in their respective locations until they could be placed on the sponsored graves.

"Our mission is to cover the more than 8,100 veterans' graves in these cemeteries," Barr said.

She noted every veteran who risked their life for Americans and this country should at the very least receive a wreath to honor them for their sacrifice and dedication.

Barr provided statistics which state there are more than 2,300 veterans laid to rest at Fort Steuben Burial Estates in Wintersville. Of those 2,300, only 412 wreaths were sponsored during the Wreaths Across America event held in 2022. Eighteen boxes of wreaths were delivered for 2023's ceremony.

More than 2,500 veterans are laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville, Barr stated. There were 70 wreaths sponsored for those graves in 2022.

Statistics show 271 wreaths were sponsored for those laid to rest at Union Cemetery in Steubenville.

There are more than 2,800 veterans laid to rest at there, leaving more than 2,000 graves without a sponsored wreath.

Barr commented Union and Mount Calvary cemeteries had 35 boxes of wreaths delivered for 2023's WAA event and 26 boxes of wreaths were delivered to Aracoma Cemetery in Mingo Junction.

The annual Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony was observed at New Cumberland Cemetery on Dec. 16, as more than 50 volunteers came out to honor the town's veterans by placing fresh pine wreaths on veterans' graves.

This year, 420 wreaths were placed, breaking last year's record of 315 wreaths. The ceremony began with a moment of silence followed by the presentation of the ceremonial wreaths, which represent each branch of service and those who are still POW/MIA.

A brief history of the WAA program was followed by the playing of taps. Volunteers spread out throughout the cemetery to place wreaths on veterans' graves. The volunteers are encouraged to say each veteran's name aloud as they place the wreath as a way of keeping their memory alive.

The motto of the Wreath Across America Association is "Remember, honor, teach." This motto encourages all of us to remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and to teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Each year, the WAA program chooses a theme for its campaign. This past theme was "Serve and succeed." The theme is a continuation of 2022's theme, "Find a way to serve."

By serving those around us, we help the community to succeed, officials said. The New Cumberland Community Projects Committee, which sponsored the event, stated they are grateful to all of the businesses, organizations and private individuals who donate every year to make this event so successful.

"Thanks to Tim Hines, Howard Vulgamore, Bill Wells, George Hines and Will White for getting all of the boxes of wreaths to the cemetery and to McCollister's Auto Transport and driver Pete for bringing our wreaths all the way from Maine," organizers commented. "We would like to give special thanks to Rick Greenwood and his Scout troop for presenting the ceremonial wreaths and for Mitch and Dave Porter for playing taps. These guys help us every year and they are a big part of the ceremony. We were joined this year by Pastor Dan Cesene and members of the Westminster Youth Group from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chester. Thank you for volunteering."

"This is a great time to sponsor a wreath because your donation is doubled" organizers said. Forms are available at the New Cumberland city building or by contacting organizer George Hines at (304) 670-7092.

This year's event will take place Dec. 14. For those interested in buying a wreath for this year's ceremony, Wreaths Across America is sponsoring a buy one, get one free promotion until Jan. 17. The price for each wreath is $17.

For information about the year-long mission and ways to get involved, or to purchase a wreath for this year's event, visit www.wreathacrossamerica.org.

Starting at /week.