Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

By Lauren Bertovich

December graces us with beautiful lights, complimentary colors and childhood joys. It carries with it moments of good will that inspire tiny miracles to happen. Everyone knows this is one of the busiest times of the year but there are those who still find time to volunteer their services to make great things happen.

The holidays are better when shared with families, friends and loved ones. Right now, in thousands of homes across America, someone is missing from these family gatherings because they volunteered for our country and our freedom. They placed their own needs aside even when it cost them their lives. They are honored by making sure their memory remains and their stories are told.

On December 15th Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels and Greene Mount Cemetery in Waynesburg will join over 1,400 other cemeteries across the United States to be part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony. It is a ceremony to remember our fallen heroes and to honor them for making the ultimate sacrifice. 2018 marks the first year that a ceremony will be held in each of the 50 states. The event sets an excellent example for young people; by involving them in the process they set their own needs aside and see that something much larger than themselves can be accomplished. Wreaths Across America enlists the help of groups like the boy scouts, Civil Air Patrol, schools, and civic clubs to teach younger children about the values typical of most veterans; loyalty, duty, honor, selfless service.

The Carmichaels Women's Civic Club

The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club has been in charge of this event for the past 8 years at Laurel Point Cemetery and each year they have met their goal by placing 339 wreaths atop the stones of fallen veterans. Andrea Semenoff, current president of the Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club and retired schoolteacher, says she would like to see more young women joining the group. The group meets once a month from September to May and are involved in multiple activities and programs aimed at making Greene County a better place to live. Each month they recognize a girl from the senior class at Carmichaels High School for her outstanding achievements and goals. The club also sponsors a program known as HUGS that helps the homeless receive Hats, Underwear, Gloves and Socks. The Wreaths Across America ceremony is not the Civic Club’s only involvement with service members. Each year they send packages to deployed soldiers overseas filled with basic necessities like toothpaste and toilet paper to small reminders from home like beef jerky and Hershey bars.

“When the wreaths arrive from Maine it really is a sight. They come in on a large truck driven by a volunteer. Sometimes they arrive a day early or in the middle of the night and we must store almost 400 fresh wreaths until the ceremony and it takes the help of the community to do so,” shared Andrea. And the community jumps in – local volunteers along with volunteers from the local Scout troops will assist the Civics Club in placing the wreaths in the cemetery, as well as at the monuments around Greene County.

Civil Air Patrol Squadron 606 unpacks wreaths.

The Greene County Composite Squadron 606 of the Civil Air Patrol will work alongside the Waynesburg VFW and other volunteers to place wreaths at Green Mount Cemetery. There is also a ceremony held at Waynesburg VFW Post 4793.

“Every donation and wreath sponsorship is a meaningful gift from an appreciative supporter who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We are so grateful to the community of Greene County, PA for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

Major Ciara Williams salutes a veteran before placing a wreath.

It is an amazing sight to see the blanket of evergreen wreaths placed carefully across the snowcovered earth. Each wreath is hand-made from Maine and is adorned with a big, red ribbon, the color of love, and they stand out as if to represent the heart of each fallen soldier.

Holiday miracles are not getting the closest parking spot or not maxing out your credit cards before buying all your gifts. It is seeing a diverse country come together and thousands of volunteers nationwide come together to honor those who stood up for freedom. Remember the fallen; honor those who serve; teach our children the value of freedom. For more information on how to sponsora wreath please go to www. WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.