Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Dec. 15 ceremony to honor veterans will include wreath-laying and 21-gun salute at Mt Bethel


Local volunteers are working hard to ensure that all veterans laid to rest at Mount Bethel Cemetery are honored this December on National Wreaths Across America Day.

This year, the ceremony, held simultaneously across the country at more than 1,400 locations, will be on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. The goal: to place a live, balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every veteran buried there and spread patriotism and commemoration for the ultimate sacrifices they made for our country.  A ceremony consisting of a Military Color Guard, 21-Gun Salute and Taps will begin at noon.

Following the ceremony, a veteran representing the seven branches of service (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and P.O.W.) will present a wreath decorated with its respective flag. Volunteers will then place wreaths at the veteran's grave along and state their name to remember and honor their service.

From now until December 3rd, volunteers will host various fundraisers to sponsor the 690 headstones wreaths needed to honor every veteran at Mount Bethel Cemetery.

“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 Columbia for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

Three organizations are currently supporting wreath donations at Mount Bethel Cemetery. Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery (PA0358P), Cub scout Pack 35 (PA0263P) and PSSDAR Junior Membership Service Project. Each of these organizations will be coordinating the fundraising event to raise money for both WAA and their organization.

National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political event, open to all people. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.



About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 1,400 veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

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