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BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. -- For the 14th consecutive year, the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is participating in the Wreaths Across America campaign with local sponsors being sought to purchase wreaths that will be placed in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County, Pennsylvania. This cemetery serves veterans from the entire tri-state area.
The origin of Wreaths Across America dates back more than 28 years, when Merrill Worcester, the owner of a nursery located in Harrington, Maine, had an overabundance of Christmas wreaths and nothing to do with them. Remembering a trip he had taken as a paperboy to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., he got the idea to donate his excess wreaths to the cemetery as a gesture of remembrance and honor for those men and women who served their country. From the pictures of the wreaths lying against the tombstones at that cemetery Wreaths Across America has grown to what it is today.
Wreaths Across America's mission, remembers the fallen, honors those who serve and teach children the value of freedom. Its goal is to generate sponsors for wreaths that will be placed on veteran's graves. Last year at 3,702 locations in this country and 25 located on foreign soil, 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veterans graves. Of the estimated 2 million volunteers that helped place wreaths, one-third were children.
The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established in 2008 on approximately 300 acres near the Washington and Allegheny county line. It was created to serve the tri-state area when a study found that there are in excess of 300,000 veterans in this area. Currently, more than 25,000 people have been interred since the cemetery opened. All wreaths received by the local chapter will be used at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. This cemetery serves the entire tri-state area as a final resting place for veterans, spouses and in some cases dependent children.
At noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, family, friends, veterans, youth and organizations will gather for a brief ceremony followed by the placing of the wreaths. Last year more than 15,500 wreaths were placed at this cemetery and for the sixth consecutive year, with graves that were already decorated by families, every grave was marked.
Wreaths cost $17 each and are tax deductible. Of note, the way the George Washington Chapter is set up with the national organization for every 2 wreaths sponsored, a third is provided free. The George Washington Chapter is proud to be one of the largest gatherer of sponsorships for this cemetery, last year getting sponsors for 3,197 wreaths. The Chapter also encourages volunteers to come to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, to help place however many wreaths the cemetery receives.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a wreath or wreaths can make a check payable to "Wreaths Across America" and send it to Gary W. Timmons, local Wreaths Across America chairman, at 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, W. Va. 26003-4905. He can also be contacted at 304-242-8759. Deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 23.