Local VFW to Honor Veterans on “Wreaths Across America Day”

That fit well with the motto of Wreaths Across America: Remember, Honor, Teach.

“We know they’ll eventually come out and see what a great job their money and the businesses’ money created out here”, he said.

Kathy Gregory and her son Joseph Gregory Jr., bring a wreath to place at World War II veteran Norman Collins’ grave in the Chesterville Hill Cemetery on Saturday. Click on the box that says “Group Name” and type in “PA0006P”.

By 2005, the event sparked national attention and has since morphed into a parade, weeks of fundraising – people can sponsor wreaths – and the involvement of more than 100 trucking companies and thousands of volunteers. Last year, the now-national effort placed more than 700,000 memorial wreaths at 1,000 locations in the US and beyond.

Before the patriotic ceremony, Phillips carefully placed symbolic pennies atop a handful of the white marble markers that are the final resting places for 5,600 people at the cemetery.

Today, Wreaths Across America (WAA), along with over 70,000volunteers, honored that pledge by placing remembrance wreaths on 240,185 headstones at Arlington National Cemetery – every grave and the columbarium.

“It’s to honor all veterans who have passed away”, he said.

Tate didn’t mention the recent massacre of employees at a San Bernadino office party but said fear-mongering terrorists are a fact of life.

“Wreaths Across America is wonderful program”, Staff Sergeant Patrick S. Kirby said.

During the ceremony 8 wreaths were set on display by members of each military branch to honor each and every hero during the holiday season.

The Civil Air Patrol Unit usually lays about a hundred wreaths locally for the ceremony, but this year they were surprised with almost 3,000.