Photo provided Wreaths are shown on graves at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. This Dec. 17 the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will once again be taking part with Wreaths Across America to place wreaths on veterans’ graves at the cemetery.

MARTINS FERRY — This December the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will once again be taking part with Wreaths Across America in conjunction with the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies located in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

More than 30 years ago a fellow by the name of 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 12-year-old paper boy to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., he had the idea to donate his excess wreaths to the Arlington National Cemetery.

They would be placed in an older section of the cemetery that saw few visitors to be placed on veterans’ graves as a gesture of remembrance and honor for those men and women who have served our country. This act of one man has grown into what is known today as “Wreaths Across America.”

As word spread, especially those pictures of snow covered graves with wreaths leaning against the headstones, additional cemeteries were included. In 2021, at more than 3,137 cemeteries in this country and 25 veterans’ cemeteries on foreign soil, more than 2.4 million wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom.

This year will be the George Washington Chapter’s 12th year to take part in this project at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established after careful consideration and research was given as to how many veterans are in our tristate area. It was estimated that there are in excess of 323,000 veterans. The other closest veterans cemeteries are located in Rittman, Ohio; Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania; Grafton, and Dunbar, West Virginia.

The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies was established in 2005 and is situated on about 300 acres near the Washington and Allegheny County line and can be seen from Interstate 79. It can accommodate casketed and cremated remains. The cremated remains can be buried either in the ground or in specially designed wall sections or “nitches.”

Before becoming a National Cemetery it had been continuously farmed since the 1800s when John Fawcett, a Revolutionary War veteran, was given the property as pay for his war service. Fawcett also played an important role in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. There was already a family cemetery on the property which contains the remains of Fawcett as well as another Revolutionary War veteran Richard Boyce and several members of both families. This part of the original cemetery will remain as is.

As we approach the end of 2022 more than 23,000 people have been interred in this cemetery. The cemetery is now averaging seven to eight burials five days a week and each year people take part in Wreaths Across America they can see the new sections that have opened up since the year before.

The cemetery is open to veterans, their wives or husbands and also dependent children. The most notable person buried in this cemetery is First Lt., U.S. Army Air Force, Charles William Tate who was a WWII veteran and one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He was a recipient of the Air medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Also, seven soldiers who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan and six who died as a result of injuries from those conflicts are also among those who are buried there.

The George Washington Chapter started their partnership with the NCA in 2008 when funds were raised to purchase and donate an electric four-person cart to transport families around the cemetery. They also dedicated a “boulder” in the memorial walkway that reads, “In memory of all the Revolutionary War soldiers whose burial site is known only to God.”

In 2009, which was the Chapter’s first year of wreaths participation, there were nearly 3,000 graves and only 800 wreaths were placed. The Chapter got sponsorships for about 40 wreaths. To show how this program has grown, with a count of about 17,000 buried there last year volunteers placed 16,000 wreaths. Of that, the George Washington Chapter was responsible for 3,184 wreaths, making it the largest, out of 30 other groups to gather sponsorships for this cemetery and last year, for the sixth year, with the graves that were already decorated by families, every grave was marked. It is so humbling to join family, friends, veterans, youth and church groups and other volunteers that took time out on a cold, rainy Saturday last December to place wreaths on these graves. The chapter encourages participants not to just place wreaths but to take a moment to read the name of the person buried there along with their branch of service and the war they took part in.

The Chapter has kicked off its 2022 campaign and their wish is that you will consider sponsoring a wreath or wreaths. The cost is $15 each. The George Washington Chapter does a three for two, which means for every two wreaths sponsored a third is provided at no extra charge. This year National Wreaths Across America Day is scheduled for noon Saturday, Dec. 17. It is a free, non-political event that is open to all people. Due to ongoing construction in the cemetery, parking will be limited and the cemetery is asking volunteers to carpool to help with the parking.

“To those who serve in our armed forces today, to those we’ve lost and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms of this great country, we pledge that we will not forget,” the chapter states. “In life they honored their country and now it’s a chance for us to honor them.” If you would like to sponsor a wreath(s) make your check out to “Wreaths Across America” and send c/o Gary Timmons, 13 Elm Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003.