Lay wreaths on Veterans Graves

Evergreen Cemetery located at 501 E Main St. in Painesville was blanketed in more than just snow on Dec. 16.

Volunteers from several organizations such as the American Legion Post 336, The New Connecticut Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), military members, Cub Scout Pack 75, Daisy Troop 71147, the Civil Air Patrol and residents of the community laid 504 wreaths at the graves of veterans.

The third annual Wreaths Across America Veterans remembrance ceremony was organized by the DAR, who has been fundraising for the past six months collecting donations from individuals and corporate donors with the goal to be able to fund enough wreaths for all 1,600 veteran graves inside the cemetery, according to DAR Regent Deborah Kocsis.

The Civil Air Patrol, an organization run by the U.S. Air Force, helps organize the fundraising

efforts.

Evergreen Cemetery and a cemetery in Canton are the only ones in Northeast Ohio that participate in the Wreaths across America event, Kocsis said.

According to their website, Wreaths across America is intended to not only remember fallen veterans, but to also honor those who serve and to teach children the value of freedom. Their mission — Remember, Honor, Teach — is carried out each December with a coordinated wreath laying ceremony not only at Arlington National Cemetery, but also at an additional 1,200 cemeteries throughout all fifty states as well as at sea and abroad.

The Evergreen ceremony began with a moment of silence followed by the presentation of colors by American Legion Post 336 and an invocation by Loralee Hill, DAR and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Linda Rothchild DAR. Cub Scout Pack 75 lead the audience in the singing of the national anthem.

In her opening remarks, Kocsis quoted former President Ronald Reagan:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” she said. “We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

She asked each person who laid a wreath on a veterans grave to make sure to say their name out loud, explaining the belief that a person dies twice — once when they take their final breath and the last time their name is ever spoken.

Prior to laying the wreaths throughout the cemetery, seven ceremonial wreaths were placed honoring the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guards, Merchant Marines and POW/MIAs.

The wreaths cost $15 each, but for each one purchased through the DAR organization they receive $5 back to put towards the community.

This year the decision was made to contribute to a couple of organizations. $250 went to Project Hope

to help homeless veterans, $500 went towards a scholarship for a high school student and approximately $800 was donated to Dogs4Warriors.

Several donations were also made toward next year’s event, including one by Cub Scout Pack 75 and one for over $2,000 which was raised by the students of Painesville and Riverside schools.

Donations to assist homeless veterans can be mailed to Project Hope Homeless Veterans Initiative, 25 Freedom Road, Painesville Township, Ohio 44077. Donations to assist Dogs4Warriors can be made to Dogs4Warriors 35020 Gundy Ridge Rd, Bowerston, Ohio 44695.

Donations for wreaths for 2018 can be made to Wreaths Across America 6575 Hudson Ave. Mentor Ohio, 44060

For more information about Wreaths Across America email kocsisdar@gmail.com.

This year the decision was made to contribute to a couple of organizations. $250 went to Project Hope to help homeless veterans, $500 went towards a scholarship for a high school student and approximately $800 was donated to Dogs4Warriors.