People across the nation are preparing for a somber, seasonal tribute on Saturday as they lay wreaths on the graves of veterans from coast to coast. There will be 2.9 million wreaths placed in 4,225 locations across the United States on December 16.
Habersham County joined in the tradition last year with wreath-laying ceremonies at the VFW Cemetery in Demorest and the Historic Clarkesville Cemetery. This year local organizers have added a third site – Demorest Cemetery.
Those are but a few of the local locations where you can go this weekend to participate in this seasonal tradition. It is a time to remember the fallen, to honor those who serve, and to teach the next generation the value of freedom.
How it began
Wreaths Across America began with a 12-year-old paper boy named Morrill Worcester, who won a trip to Washington D.C. He visited Arlington National Cemetery while there, and the hundreds of thousands of graves made an imprint on his heart – one that would follow him throughout his life.
As an adult, he became the owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. In 1992 there was a surplus of wreaths, and he remembered his experience as a boy in Washington D.C. He took the opportunity to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
He sought the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, who made arrangements for the surplus wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older cemetery sections that had been receiving fewer visitors each passing year. It didn’t stop there. Others stepped in to help. The owner of a local trucking company named Blue Bird Ranch, Inc., offered transportation to Virginia. The local American Legion and the VFW Posts donated their time to decorate the wreaths with traditional red, hand-tied bows.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
How it has grown
Each year the tradition continued and in 2005, a picture surfaced on the internet of Arlington in the snow with the wreaths adorning each soldier’s grave. Some 30 years after its inception, Wreaths Across America has a mission to remind people of the sacrifices made for our freedom; to honor those who made the sacrifice; and to teach what it means to be an American. Saturday, December 16, over two million volunteers and supporters will gather to remember, honor, and teach at more than 4,200 participating locations in all 50 states.
North Georgia Ceremonies
In our area, The Old Clarkesville Cemetery, Demorest Cemetery, and the VFW Cemetery will hold the Wreath Placement at noon on Saturday, December 16. In Toccoa, GA, the ceremony will be at The Toccoa City Cemetery, and in Hartwell, GA, at the Hart County Cemetery. The James Pittman Chapter, NSDAR, Commerce, GA will be helping Woodbine Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.
VFW member and Wreath Coordinator Barry Church explained that he wanted to use Demorest as a pilot project this year to see if there was interest among the cities that owned cemeteries to become involved with the Wreaths Across America event. Demorest was chosen because of its central location in the county.
Church has goals for the program. “My goal ultimately is to have as many wreaths on as many veterans’ graves as we possibly can. Maybe between now and next year, talk to some of the other cities to see if they want to participate.”
Bring the entire family
Church recommends people arrive as early as 11:00 a.m. at the various locations. There is coaching involved in the process of placing the wreath. As each wreath is placed on the grave, the name of the veteran is called out.
“The freedoms we enjoy are not by accident but by sacrifice. We need to educate our young people so that they do not take it for granted,” Church expressed.
Details
All across America, wreaths will be placed to honor our veterans on Saturday, December 16, at 12:00 p.m. Find a location near you and bring the entire family. “It isn’t about decorating a grave,” Church added. “It is about remembering those who sacrificed for our freedom; honoring those who paid the ultimate price; and teaching the history of our great nation.”
