Oct 22, 2015 2 min read

For the eighth 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 each of nearly 900 national cemeteries in the United States and 25 on foreign soil.

Wreaths cost $15 each and are tax deductible. The George Washington Chapter has partnered with a national organization in which a third wreath will be provided for free for every two wreaths sponsored.

At noon on Dec. 12, a brief ceremony will be held, followed by the placing of the wreaths. Last year, more than 5,600 wreaths were placed at the cemetery.

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 that there are more than 300,000 veterans in this area. Nearly 11,000 people have been interred since the cemetery opened.

The George Washington Chapter started its partnership with the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in 2008 when it raised the money to buy an electric four-person cart to transport families around the cemetery.

The chapter also has dedicated a boulder along the cemetery’s memorial walkway.

To sponsor a wreath, make checks payable to “Wreaths Across America” and send them to: Gary W. Timmons, local Wreaths Across America chairman, 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, WVA 26003-4905. He also can be contacted at 304-242-8759. Deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 21.