REMEMBERING VETERANS — Scott Sliva, left, presented a wreath to Adena Mayor Brenda Roski for placement on a local veteran’s grave. Various cemeteries were visited Dec. 13 as part of the annual Wreaths Across America event, including Harrison County, St. Casimir, Rehoboth Pioneer, Holmes Pioneer and Adena cemeteries. -- Contributed

ADENA — There is a specific kind of cold that settles across the Ohio Valley throughout the month of December.

It is the type of cold which stings the cheeks and makes every breath hang in the air.

And yet, as the wind whipped through the hills and several inches of snow would fall later that afternoon, it would still not be enough to keep a dedicated group of residents from honoring those who can no longer speak for themselves.

The spirit of the community was exceedingly warm Dec. 13 — warmer than the thermometer suggested.

Men, women and children throughout the Ohio Valley gathered at area cemeteries to take part in the annual Wreaths Across America event.

TAKING TIME TO HONOR — Local coordinators Matt, Donna and Roger Sliva braced the winter weather Dec. 13 to take part in a family tradition — the annual Wreaths Across America event. The Slivas spent the day placing wreaths on the graves of military men and women in remembrance of their service to the country during the holidays. Truck driver Jeff Hicks delivered several boxes of wreaths to the cemetery, as well as various sites throughout the country. -- Contributed

Wreaths Across America stemmed from an idea that a man by the name of Morrill Worcester had back in 1992.

Worcester had more wreaths than he needed at his tree farm, so he decided to send those wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery because of his indebtedness to fallen soldiers.

He decorated grave sites that no one bothered to visit anymore.

From there, the idea was born.

Worcester was assisted by volunteers, truck drivers and American Legion veterans.

TAKING TIME TO HONOR –– Even children were among the participants who laid wreaths on the graves on local veterans during the annual Wreaths Across America event on Dec. 13. The daughters of Matt and Amanda Sliva took part in the ceremonies, held at St. Casimir, Rehoboth, Holmes and Adena cemeteries. -- Contributed

The idea soon caught on, as more and more volunteers began placing wreaths on the graves of America’s military men and women throughout the United States.

Today, Wreaths Across America is an annual tradition which receives no government funding.

It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made possible only through the work and dedication of volunteers from around the country.

More than 4,000 cemeteries are now taking part in what has become a tradition.

This year’s ceremony had the theme “Keep Moving Forward,” an appropriate title seeing as how volunteers more-than-likely had to tell themselves to “keep moving forward” despite the uncooperative weather.

ORGANIZING A MEANINGFUL EVENT — Jeff Hicks, center, a truck driver who transports wreaths across the United States for the annual Wreaths Across America event, assisted area residents Suzanne and Jim Smarrella in unloading and moving 21 boxes of wreaths on Dec. 13. The Smarrellas continue to take part in this special tribute to those service members who have died. -- Contributed

Among those taking part locally was the village of Adena.

Its mission began with the arrival of fresh balsam wreaths, delivered by truck driver Jeff Hicks.

Hicks, who works for USA Trucking Co. in Indiana, left from Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, Maine, to arrive in Adena.

Hicks pulled into the parking lot of Packers Fruit Market, owned by Bill and Marty Packer, who gave permission for the use of their lot to unload the 252 wreaths for the ceremony at St. Casimir Cemetery in Adena.

Waiting to meet Hicks were some familiar faces … faces which make this event possible year after year.

REMEMBERING –– Wreaths Across America local organizer Roger Sliva was among those who took time remember. One of the cemeteries Sliva visited with his family was the Harrison County Home Cemetery on state Route 250. -- Contributed

Matt, Donna and Roger Sliva awaited Hick’s visit. It is an annual tradition.

Alongside the Sliva family were longtime volunteers Suzanne and Jim Smarrella.

The Smarrellas have been staples of the project for years.

Not only do they sponsor wreaths for their own family’s graves, but they jump right in to help unload the shipment.

And that shipment is quite large, as 21 boxes were delivered this year.

“It was so frigid, in fact, that Suzanne and I had to coordinate our ‘paparazzi’ duties,” laughed Donna Sliva.

“We took turns snapping photos of one another just to keep our hands from freezing,” she added. “Sadly, the weather was too brutal to gather everyone for a large group shot. We were just focused on getting those wreaths to their final destinations.”

The arrival of the wreaths began as quite a struggle, according to Donna Sliva.

Due to the predicted unfavorable weather, plans were made to distribute the wreaths throughout the week prior to Dec. 13 to the many necessary locations, according to Donna.

However, a problem was encountered. While unloading the boxes, Hicks and the Slivas discovered the cardboard was frozen together.

What’s more, not only were the boxes frozen together, but so were the wreaths to one another.

It was as if it were one large cube of greenery, Donna said.

Wreaths were separated daily that week, she continued, noting her grandson, Andrew, played an important role in this problem.

Andrew assisted Roger every day after school to help separate, count and box the wreaths for the cemeteries. They worked until dusk.

The two visited Highland Cemetery in Smithfield where they went to the grave of Donna’s uncle. They then visited Holly Memorial Cemetery in Colerain to place more wreaths.

Wreaths were delivered to Pat Logsdon of the Piney Fork Post 735 American Legion Auxiliary in Piney Fork.

According to Donna, friend Steve Merrick had a kerosene forced air torpedo space heater that Roger borrowed to assist in dividing the wreaths from the cube it had become.

“Once completed there was the logistics of distribution to the many locations during the bitter cold and snow that was predicted to arrive,” Donna continued.

Roger and Andrew were joined by another grandson, Isaac, who assisted in placing the wreaths on graves at the Olive Branch Cemetery in Harrisville. Volunteer and Vietnam War veteran Frank Zanski placed wreaths on all veterans graves in Short Creek Cemetery in Georgetown.

The Slivas visited Harrison County Home Cemetery where wreaths were placed on graves as well.

On the day of the actual event at St. Casimir Cemetery, many people were in attendance, despite the bitter cold.

Their purpose was to honor the brave, with a ceremony taking place at St. Casimir Cemetery, located on county Road 6, Adena/Dillonvale Road in Smithfield.

Opening remarks and a moment of silence began the afternoon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and a reading.

Participants focused on the program’s goal — to “Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.”

The Rev. Barry Hall of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisville provided the ceremony’s invocation, setting a somber, respectful tone for the day.

Generations bridged the gap during the presentation.

Toddlers, teenagers, those involved with Jefferson County 4-H clubs, parents, city leaders and senior citizens … all watched as seasoned veterans stood alongside the leaders of tomorrow.

Among those in attendance was Rich Jeskey, a Legion member and Vietnam War veteran who presented the Marine Corps wreath.

Noah Lucas and Leila Sudvary, FFA students at Edison High School, represented the Air Force and Space Force, respectively.

Libby Core, an Auxiliary member, presented the Merchant Marine wreath; Graylan De Bertrand, a Legion member, honored the POW/MIAs.

Frank Nameth, a member of the Sons of the Legion, remained busy as he handed out wreaths to those in attendance.

As the ceremony at St. Casimir drew to a close, the haunting, familiar notes of taps echoed across the grounds, played by Vietnam War veteran Frank Zamski.

In that single moment, the cold seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude.Volunteers then proceeded to the Rehoboth Pioneer and Holmes Pioneer cemeteries, located on Smithfield Township Road 130 off county Road 10, Adena/Smithfield Road near Adena.

The Slivas thanked everyone who braved the elements to ensure veterans were remembered this holiday season. Anyone who is interested in becoming a part of the mission next year, the Slivas noted they are always looking for sponsors and volunteers.

Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.