Sponsors sought for wreath campaign
For the 10th consecutive year, the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will participate in the Wreaths Across America campaign. Local sponsors are sought to purchase wreaths that will be placed in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Cecil Township.
The origin of Wreaths Across America goes back more than 25 years, when Merrill Worcester, the owner of a nursery in Harrington, Maine, had an overabundance of Christmas wreaths. Remembering a trip he had taken as a child to Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., he got the idea to donate the excess wreaths to the cemetery as a way to remember and honor the men and women who served their country.
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom. The goal is to generate sponsors for wreaths that will be placed on veterans’ graves. Last year at 1,422 locations in the country and 25 on foreign soil, 1.5 million wreaths were placed.
National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established in 2008 on about 300 acres near the Washington and Allegheny County line. Currently, more than 15,000 people have been interred there.
Courtesy of Sons of the American Revolution
Members of the Washington County Young Marines at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies
At noon Dec. 15, participants will gather for a brief ceremony followed by the placing of the wreaths. Last year, more than 10,300 wreaths were placed at the cemetery, and for the third year, every grave was marked.
The George Washington Chapter started the partnership with the cemetery in 2008 when it raised funds to buy and donate an electric four-person cart to transport visitors around the cemetery. The chapter also donated a boulder along the memorial walkway.
Wreaths are $15 each and are tax-deductible. For every two wreaths sponsored, a third is provided free through the chapter.
Volunteers are encouraged to come to the cemetery on Dec. 15 to help place wreaths.
To purchase wreaths, make checks payable to Wreaths Across America and send to Gary W. Timmons, local program chairman, at 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, WV, 26003. He can be reached at 304-242-8759. Deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 23.