Residents can purchase wreaths that are placed on veterans’ graves.
Wreaths Across America, a holiday wreath-laying ceremony on the graves of Veterans, will be held December 16.
Steve Chapin, who is the Interim Cubmaster Pack 223, thought Palisades residents might like to know more about the program and possibly participate.
“Our goal is to have the Cub Scouts place wreaths that other people purchase,” Chapin said. “I just thought it would be good for the Cub Scouts to honor those that gave their lives in protecting our country.”
After hearing about the program, Post 283 Auxiliary members, at their November 15 meeting, voted to purchase 10 wreaths ($17) each.
Chapin said purchases will be tracked to see how much the group brings in—but the Scouts do not receive any money for this volunteer effort.
“For every two wreaths that are purchased a third one will be donated for free,” Chapin said click here.
This nationwide program, which distributes holiday wreaths as a tribute to Veterans laid to rest at VA national cemeteries and state Veterans cemeteries began in 1992.
Maine businessman Morrill Worcester (Worcester Wreath Co.) found himself with a surplus of wreaths as the end of the holiday season neared. As a boy, he had visited Arlington National Cemetery, which had left an indelible impression on him. Worcester decided he’d like the wreaths to go there to honor the veterans.
With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to go into one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.
The laying of the wreaths went viral in 2005 and thousands of people from around the country wanted to do the same thing for their National and State cemeteries.
In 2007, Wreaths Across America was formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its mission in laying the wreaths is “Remember, Honor, Teach.”
Since 2008, Congress has issued a proclamation recognizing “National Wreaths Across America Day,” which is now observed annually on the third Saturday in December, nationwide.
In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our nation’s service members at 3,702 participating locations.
Local Cub Scouts will place the wreaths on graves.
What a beautiful thing we can do to honor our veterans. I just signed up to volunteer based on your story. I lost my father this year at age 92. He’s flew in the United States Air Force in the Korean War. I will miss him so much this Christmas. Thank you.