Wreaths Across America

by on

More in News:

  • NEW CUMBERLAND GARDEN CLUB SPONSORS THIIRD WREATH EVENTThe New Cumberland Garden Club will once again be sponsoring the Wreaths Across America event for the New Cumberland Cemetery. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 18. Started over 25 years ago by Merrell Worcester of Maine, the event has grown bigger each year. Mr. Worcester didn’t want to waste any of the pine trimmings left over from his tree farm, so he decided to put them to good use by making them into wreaths. The first wreaths were donated to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Now wreaths are placed every December on thousands of veterans’ graves across America and beyond. All of our veterans, past and present, have given their service to protect our freedoms, and this is just one way to honor their contributions. The motto of Wreaths Across America is “Honor, Remember,Teach.” The motto reminds us to honor and remember the veterans who have served and to teach people, especially young people, about what service to country is all about. Every year in December, volunteers in all fifty states show up at cemeteries for the solemn task of laying a fresh pine wreath on the graves of as many service men and women as possible. Last year, volunteers at the New Cumberland Cemetery placed 290 wreaths on veterans’ graves. The garden club’s goal this year is to surpass that amount so that more of the roughly 450 service men’s graves at the cemetery will be decorated. So far this year, the garden club has received donations for 203 wreaths. If you would like to donate funds to purchase a wreath, the cost is $15, and the last day to purchase this year is November 30. For those who are interested in buying a wreath for a specific veteran’s grave, that can be noted on the order form. Forms are available at the New Cumberland City Building, the Swaney Library, or by calling George Hines at 304-670-7092. Shown in the photo is a volunteer placing a wreath at Arlington last year on Wreaths Across America Day.
Subscribe to our newsletter