Wreaths Across America
George Washington Chapter members, from left, Larry Ridgway, Gary Timmons, Ronald Miller, Michael Merryman and Larry Perkins pose for a picture at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Cecil Township.
National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township
For the ninth consecutive year, the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will participate in the Wreaths Across America campaign, of which a ceremony will take place at noon on Dec. 16 in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Local sponsors are being sought to purchase wreaths to be placed during the ceremony.
Wreaths Across America’s mission remembers the fallen, honors those who serve and teaches children the value of freedom. The goal is to generate sponsors for wreaths that will be placed on veteran’s graves in each of over 1,100 National Cemeteries in the country and 25 on foreign soil.
Wreaths cost $15 each and are tax deductible. For every two wreaths sponsored through the George Washington Chapter, a third is provided free by the national organization. The George Washington Chapter is the largest gatherer of sponsorships for the Cecil cemetery.
The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established in 2008 on approximately 300 acres. More than 13,700 people have been interred since the cemetery opened.
At the Dec. 16 event, family, friends, veterans, youths and organizations will gather for a brief ceremony followed by the placing of the wreaths. Last year 9,117 wreaths were placed at the cemetery, and for the second consecutive year, including graves that were decorated by families, every grave was marked.
The chapter encourages volunteers to come to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to help place wreaths.
The George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution started its partnership with the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in 2008 when it raised the funds to buy and donate an electric four-person cart to transport families around the cemetery. The chapter has also dedicated a “boulder” along the memorial walkway located in the cemetery.
To sponsor wreaths, checks made payable to “Wreaths Across America” can be sent to Gary W. Timmons, local Wreaths Across America chairman, at 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, W. Va. 26003-4905. He can also be contacted at 304-242-8759. Deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 23.