Bellefontaine, Urbana, and Belle Center are once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program, a nationwide effort to honor veterans and their sacrifices during the holiday season. The wreath-laying ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at 12:00 PM at Bellefontaine Cemetery, Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana, and Fairview Cemetery in Belle Center.
As of now, the local communities are making significant progress toward their sponsorship goals:
- Bellefontaine has 679 wreaths sponsored, reaching 51.5% of the goal, with 639 wreaths still needed to honor all veterans at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
- Urbana has 1,294 wreaths sponsored, which is 72.9% of the goal, leaving just 481 wreaths remaining to meet their target for Oak Dale Cemetery.
- Fairview Cemetery in Belle Center has exceeded its goal, with 544 wreaths sponsored, which is 8.9% over the goal, exceeding its target by 44 wreaths.
- Calvary Cemetery in Bellefontaine has 126 wreaths sponsored, 0.4% over their goal, exceeding the target by 1 wreath.
Kim Snyder, Vice Chair of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), spoke to the Urbana Lions Club on Wednesday about the Wreaths Across America program, encouraging local residents to get involved by sponsoring wreaths and attending the upcoming ceremony to honor veterans.
The Wreaths Across America program ensures that every veteran laid to rest in participating cemeteries receives a wreath as a mark of respect and remembrance. The ceremony provides an opportunity for communities to come together, honor fallen heroes, and show support for military families.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that started in 1992 when businessman Morrill Worcester and his company, Worcester Wreath, donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. Since then, the program has expanded nationwide, with more than 3,700 locations now participating, including international sites. In 2018, the program expanded overseas with wreath placements at Normandy American Cemetery in France.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Every December, Congress designates a Saturday as National Wreaths Across America Day, a day dedicated to honoring veterans across the country.
Local communities of Bellefontaine, Urbana, and Belle Center are invited to support this important cause by sponsoring wreaths or volunteering for the ceremony. With their help, no veteran will be forgotten during the holiday season.
To sponsor a wreath or to learn more about the Wreaths Across America program, visit the official website.
