Sponsors are needed for Wreaths Across America
For the sixth consecutive year, the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is participating in the Wreaths Across America campaign, with local sponsors being sought to purchase wreaths that will be placed in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County.
Wreaths Across America’s mission remembers the fallen, honors those who serve and teaches children the value of freedom. Its goal is to generate sponsors for wreaths that will be placed on veterans’ graves in nearly 800 national cemeteries in the United States and 25 on foreign soil.
Wreaths cost $15 each and are tax-deductible. The George Washington Chapter set-up differs, in that for every two wreaths sponsored, a third is provided free.
All wreaths received by the local chapter will be used at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, which serves the tri-state area.
A brief ceremony, followed by the placing of the wreaths, will begin at noon Dec. 14. Last year, more than 5,600 wreaths were placed at the cemetery.
In addition, SAR will participate in a ceremonial laying of the wreaths for the various branches of the service at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at Cabela’s at the Highlands.
The origin of Wreaths Across America dates back 21 years, when Merrill Worcester, the owner of a nursery in Harrington, Maine, had an overabundance of Christmas wreaths and nothing to do with them. Remembering a trip he had taken as a paperboy to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., he got the idea to donate his excess wreaths to the cemetery as a gesture of remembrance and honor men and women who served their country.
The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established in 2005 on about 300 acres near the Washington and Allegheny county line. It was created to serve the tri-state area when a study found there are more than 300,000 veterans in the area.
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 money to buy and donate an electric four-person cart to transport families around the cemetery. The chapter also has dedicated a “boulder” along the memorial walkway in the cemetery.
Those wishing to sponsor a wreath can make checks payable to “Wreaths Across America” and send them to: Gary W. Timmons, local Wreaths Across America chairman, at 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003-4905. He also can be reached at 304-242-8759.