The veteran’s wreath is a symbolic gift of appreciation from a thankful American, adorned only by the red velveteen bow.
Most have seen the iconic photo of the snow on the ground at Arlington National Cemetery and a green wreath adorning each gravestone. Cemeteries throughout McKean, Potter, Cameron, and Elk counties in Pennsylvania, and Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties in New York have volunteers laying wreaths at gravestones each year. However, quite a few cemeteries are left out in the region due to low sponsorship or lack of enough support.
The mission continues. “Serve and Succeed” is the theme of this year’s Wreaths Across America initiative. Across the region, many organizations are looking for wreath sponsors and help for the National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16. Sponsorship is simple and affordable. Each sponsored wreath costs $17 and can be set to recur as frequently or infrequently as specified.
Searching the area on the WAA website (https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/) the following have received no wreath sponsorships so far for 2023 and could use some support. Use the name of the group, the letter code, or the number code to find the location you would like to support.
Cameron Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PACCHE),161929
Devling Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PADOCE), 161933
Oak Hill Cemetery, Driftwood, PA 15832, United States (PAOHDW), 161938
Crum Cemetery, Sinnemahoning, PA 15861, United States (PACCSH), 161932
Ulysses Cemetery, Ulysses, PA, 16948 (PAULCE), 174857
Raymond Cemetery, Gold, PA 16923, United States (PARAYC), 174858
North Bingham Cemetery, North Bingham, PA 16941, United States (PANBCB), 160101
Moore Hill Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PAMHME), 161936
Saint Marks Catholic Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PASMCE), 160947
Newton Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PANCNE), 161937
Gilmore Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PAGCGE), 161935
Brooks Cemetery, Emporium, PA 15834, United States (PABCGE), 161928
The following have committed sponsors, though may not have enough wreaths to cover all the gravestones of all the veterans in the cemeteries in their coverage area. They also need volunteers to assist on Dec. 16 to lay wreaths.
Smethport Area Cemeteries, Smethport, PA 16749, United States (PASPMC), 167658
Bradford Area Cemeteries, Bradford, PA 16701, United States (PABACS), 171125
Coudersport Area Cemeteries, Coudersport, PA 16915, United States (PACACA), 142628
Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont, NY 14813, United States (NYFHCE), 171258
Mount View Cemetery, Olean, NY 14760, United States (NYMVCO), 162814
Lakeview Cemetery , Jamestown, NY 14701, United States (NYLCJA), 16653
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Saint Marys, PA 15857, United States (PASMCC), 17121
There are already groups who have met and exceeded their wreath sponsorship goals for the 2023 year. The organizations, may, however, still need volunteers:
Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, NY 14727, United States (NYCUBA), 167141, had a goal of 691 wreaths to cover Cuba Cemetery and have exceeded this by 91 wreaths so far. Link_dazvlytl
Whitesville Rural Cemetery, Whitesville, NY 14897, United States (NYWRCE), 171153
Volunteers honored veterans at more than 3,700 locations in 2022. The Wreaths Across America organization reports more than 257,000 wreaths were placed by more than 28,000 volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery last year.
The organization is a national nonprofit founded in 2007 to expand the annual wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery started by Morrill Worcester in 1992. The yearlong mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Last year was the 31st year of placing veterans’ wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.
