Members of the Hamilton County community will gather together to honor Veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 15.
The Nancy Ward Chapter, Chief John Ross Chapter, Chickamauga Chapter, Judge David Campbell Chapter and the Moccasin Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have volunteered to assist with the WAA ceremony this year at the Chattanooga National Cemetery starting at noon. Seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach younger generations about the high cost of freedom
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 750 participating locations all across the country.
Currently over 1,500 wreaths are slated for delivery to Chattanooga, but sponsorships are still available up until Nov. 26. There are over 44,000 military personnel interred at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. These military veterans served the nation from the Revolutionary War to today's conflicts in the middle East. Sponsorships received after that date will be applied to 2013 events.
In 2012 it is projected that over 400,000 wreaths will be placed nationwide, by over 150,000 volunteers as part of the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.
The Wreaths Across America story began over 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of the nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.
Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating over 30,000 total wreaths in 2011. Over 400,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses, and groups from communities Nation-wide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.
To sponsor a wreath or more information about events planned for the community, call Lt Richard Dyers at 698-5402.
Wreaths Across America at Chattanooga National Cemetery 2011.