Showing Love for Our Servicemen with Wreaths Across America Event
Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
The Poage Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is at it again… doing good deeds in the community to promote patriotism, that is. This year, the Poage Chapter will participate in Wreaths Across America on December 16 at the Ashland Cemetery located on Belmont Street.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that began in 2007. Its purpose was to expand upon the wreath-laying ceremony that occurs annually at Arlington National Cemetery. That ceremony was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, a businessman from Maine who made the wreaths. The ceremony has grown throughout the years to include over 4000 cemetery locations across the country, with participants in each state and U.S. Territory. In 2018, the ceremony expanded to France to include over 9,000 wreaths for U.S. veterans at the Normandy-American Cemetery.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is “Remember, Honor, Teach.” Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. This mission is carried out in part each year through placing wreaths on the graves of veterans by over two million volunteers! The theme for this year is “Serve & Succeed.”
“We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to fulfilling our mission all year long,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director for Wreaths Across America, in a recent press release. “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve, and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom every day, and because of their continued support, Wreaths Across America continues to grow and touch new people each year.”
For the first time, Ashland will be a part of Wreaths Across America this year, thanks to the sponsorship of the Poage Chapter DAR. The goal is to raise enough funds to place wreaths on all of the veterans' graves in the Ashland Cemetery. In order to accomplish this goal, they are asking for donations of $17 to purchase a live balsam wreath for a veteran’s grave. Donations may also be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Volunteers are also needed to assist in placing the wreaths on December 16. To make your donation or volunteer, visit the website: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/KY0188P.
Wreaths Across America is an exceptional project that brings a measure of honor, remembrance, and dignity to those who have served in our military to defend our freedom. Some passed Veterans have also served. Others paid the ultimate price while defending the very freedom for which they died. All the Veterans deserve to be honored for having served our great country, and the Poage Chapter DAR intends to do just that. If you would like to assist and be a part of honoring these great men and women, visit the website links listed above.
Thank you, Poage Chapter DAR for all you do for our community!