The symbolic wreaths represent everlasting life from the simple evergreens located in Harrington, Maine.

Morrill Worcester, founder of Wreaths Across America, first visited Washington, D.C. when he was 12 years old and never forgot how moved he was at the sight of Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1992, the Worcester wreath company had a surplus of wreaths, Morrill remembered Arlington National Cemetery and donated his surplus to a part of the cemetery that was the least visited. This annual event went on quietly for many years, until 2005, when a photo of Arlington adorned with the wreaths in the snow went viral.

This is how WAA became recognized nationwide. Here in Lawrence County, it began with two friends who visited Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath laying ceremony in 2012, and became so inspired they started a program here in our hometown. These ladies went anywhere and everywhere, asking for donations for wreaths. No donation was too small. These two friends were Juanita Southers and Linda Dalton.

I joined these two wonderful ladies in 2015, I was so impressed with WAA, I talked my sister, Sally Inglis, into joining in 2016. Our father, a retired Marine, served in Korean and Vietnam. He showed us what service men and women give up to protect our freedom, so I felt it an honor to participate in this great program.

Sadly, Southers passed on July 13, 2019. It was her dream to put a wreath on every veteran’s grave at Veterans Hill in Woodland Cemetery and,  with each laying of the wreath, speak the veteran’s name to remember, honor and teach.

In Southers’ honor, we are trying to put a wreath on each veteran’s grave and we need your help. Please donate if you can. If you are unable, please join us at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 for the wreath laying ceremony, and if you cannot attend, please pray for our fallen veterans.

This is such a noble cause. In every conflict that the USA has been in, there has always been a ceasefire on Christmas by both sides to honor our Heavenly Father’s date of birth. Christmas is special to all veterans. Let’s remember, honor them and teach our children not to forget.

Donations can be made at Citizens Deposit Bank or mail donations to: WAA P.0. Box 183 lronton, OH 45638.

In advance, I thank you and please let’s do this for two special ladies, Juanita Southers and Linda Dalton.

Sincerely,

Laura Markel Brown

Coordinator Wreaths Across America