Monday, May 6, 2024
To honor our fallen veterans during the holiday season, the Turnersville Cemetery Association annually partners with Wreaths Across America to place balsam veteran’s wreaths along the tombstones of our past veterans.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, National Wreaths Across America Day took place at over 3,700 participating locations across the country. At Turnersville Cemetery, 250 veterans’ wreaths were placed by family members and volunteers.
Every year since 2008, Congress proclaims a Saturday in December as National Wreaths Across America Day, which is typically held on the second or third Saturday of the month.
From the volunteers, sponsors, and the truck drivers, each person played an important role in the mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and to teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The volunteers included members from Jonesboro Independent School District 4-H, the Turnersville Volunteer Fire Department, and the Turnersville Cemetery Association.
“Community participation involves saying the name of each veteran as their wreath is placed, so that they and their families know they are not forgotten,” Turnersville Cemetery Association Secretary Patty Weber said. “Taking time during the busy holiday season to place the wreaths is a small effort in comparison to their sacrifices.”
At each of the sites, Wreaths Across America Location Coordinators work throughout the year with a cemetery contact and local governments to organize and promote the ceremony, coordinate wreath delivery, and manage the placement of wreaths.
Turnersville Cemetery Association Secretary Patty Weber and Karen Campbell are the Location Coordinators for Wreaths Across America.
In addition to the Location Coordinators, most Wreaths Across America locations rely on the assistance of community members, local businesses, and civic groups and organizations to place wreaths on the day of the event.
Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families.
The balsam veteran’s wreath was a gift of respect and appreciation, sponsored by an individual or organization, and placed on a headstone by volunteers as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy. For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used as a symbol of honor and have served as a living tribute renewed annually.
There is no cost to attend an event on National Wreaths Across America Day - all are welcome to join. However, Wreaths Across America receives no government funding.
Each veterans’ wreath placed on National Wreaths Across America Day is sponsored for $17 per wreath.
National Wreaths Across America Day and other events are made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. Individual wreath sponsors and corporate donors pay for most of the cost for the program, and volunteer truck drivers and trucking companies make it possible for the organization to transport wreaths all over the country.
“It’s important to remember our veterans and the sacrifices they made all year round,” Weber said.
For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.
