Volunteers prepare wreaths for Knoxville cemetery

Due to expected major snow, Saturday’s “Wreaths Across America Day” ceremony in Windsor will be moved inside to Windsor Town Hall’s Council Chambers at 275 Broad Street.

“People want to know ahead of time if they were eligible for a National Cemetery”, said Quincy Whitehead, cemetery director at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. After the ceremony, wreaths will be placed on the markers of service members resting at Stanly Gardens of Memory. Immediately afterward, they will place wreaths on the graves at Omaha National, where 214 gravesites are now occupied since the first burials in September. The program recognizes veterans in all 50 states, territories and at overseas national cemeteries.

“C.R. England has been pleased to be a part of Wreaths Across America for eight consecutive years”, said Dan England, chairman of the board for C.R. England, an Omnitracs customer. Donations have come from as far away as CT. You nearly can kind of put a face to the cold markers that are there in the ground, and remember that these are men and women who have honorably served our country.

Wreaths Across America does not end after the December event, it lasts year-round including fundraisers and the pursuit of volunteers to ensure future efforts. “Thirty-percent of our drivers are veterans, and this is another way to honor their service and the service of all the courageous men and women who’ve given their lives for our country”.

A roster of additional speakers including Sparta Mayor Christine Quinn and Sussex County Freeholder Rich Vohden, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and cousin of POW Raymond Vohden, will deliver remarks as well.

The public is welcome to attend, volunteer or sponsor a wreath. The 300 wreaths that will be laid at Volusia Memorial Gardens will be kept in a trailer on Burres’ property.

Though the unit was able to double the number of wreaths placed on veteran graves this year, McGregor still hopes to expand the unit’s outreach in the future. “It is a gift you are giving, not only to the veteran, but to their family who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we all have”.

It would take more than punishing gusts and sub-zero wind chills to keep supporters away from the fourth Wreaths Across America program staged Thursday at the Schuylkill Haven Vietnam Veterans Memorial.