The mission of the annual Wreaths Across America project is simple: Remember. Honor. Teach.
It has been fulfilled every year since 1992, and one the organization intended to meet again Saturday as it coordinated December wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations across the country.
It touched our Mahoning Valley as well with services in Girard, Niles and other local locations as well.
The work is carried out by volunteers whose efforts ensure that the graves of service members are honored with the placement of live, balsam veteran’s wreaths. More than 2,500 locations on land, sea and abroad were to participate in this year’s ceremonies.
Services have been planned for many locations throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, each part of a bigger effort seeking to remember the men and women who have served and sacrificed from the Revolutionary War to our present conflicts.
According to the national organization, past years have seen more than 2 million volunteers help to place more than 2.2 million wreaths. Last year, in spite of restrictions that had been put into place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1.7 million wreaths were placed.
Thanks to everyone who has helped to organize the ceremonies, has volunteered to place wreaths or who took part in one of the remembrances. Your participation in the program helps to ensure that it continues to meet its goal of remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve and their families and teaching future generations about the sacrifices that have been made to preserve our freedoms.