Post 29 once again participating in Wreaths Across America
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ELKINS -- The H.W. Daniels American Legion will once again be participating in National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday at the Little Arlington Cemetery.
The annual event is held each year on the second or third Saturday of December at more than 4,200 locations across the United States. Post 29 members, volunteers, and other organizations will be placing wreaths on the headstones of veterans at the cemetery, which is located on Cravens Run Road.
Following the placing of the wreaths, there will be a ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature readings to remind those in attendance about the freedoms we all have due to the sacrifices of those who served past and present.
American Legion Post 29 Adjutant Mike Cardinal said he and other volunteers will be placing 217 wreaths on graves this year.
"The other day I was told we were getting seven wreaths, and that's all," Cardinal told The Inter-Mountain. "I immediately said 'that's not right' and I wasn't happy about it. Well, later that day an 18-wheeler showed up with 217 wreaths this year. That's more than last year when we had 185 wreaths."
Cardinal said some of the wreaths will go to very specific graves for people who purchased them for a particular person.
"There's not many wreaths that we have to put on certain graves, because a lot of people just donate to have the wreaths go out to the graveyards," Cardinal said. "The Civil Air Cadets come out and help me put the wreaths out and later take them off. The Post 29 American Legion Riders are coming out to help me as well."
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization established in 2007. Its primary activity is distributing wreaths for placement on graves in military cemeteries. Wreaths can be purchased for a veteran through Wreaths Across America or through a member of American Legion Post 29
"This program was started to honor veterans," Cardinal said. "Normally the ceremony is held at noon across the nation, but we do it at 2 p.m. in Elkins because we have another event going on with our Christmas food baskets.
"The ceremonies are held to remember, honor, and to teach that the freedoms we have are based on those guys and girls who have gone on before us… For the people who have fought in our wars and defended our freedom, this is a way to honor them. They answered the call and served their country and this is a way to say thank you."
Cardinal said the wreaths last a long time and will be taken down sometime in January.
"They will stay green even until the time that we put them in the dumpster," Cardinal said. "It depends on the weather of when we take them off, but it's usually at least 30 days out from when we put them out."