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Wreaths Across America Day Clean-up Scheduled For Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 18th At Noon At 2nd Avenue For Clarion And Immaculate Conception Cemeteries

(By Noreen Shirey – Clarion County Wreaths Across America Coordinator)

National Wreaths Across America Day took place at 2,557 participating locations across the country, including locally at Clarion and Immaculate Conception Cemeteries. Over 1,000  heroes were remembered and honored on 2nd Avenue, and a total of 1.7 million veterans’ wreaths were placed on headstones nationwide.

As we honor our veterans, we also honor the host grounds for allowing the mission to be fulfilled with a follow-up effort of wreath retirement or clean up.

Volunteers helping at last year’s wreath retirement

Please join us for this year’s wreath retirement as volunteers are needed to help with this effort on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 18th, at noon on 2nd Avenue  There will be a trailer to use to haul wreaths away, but additional pickups are needed to take them to a local farm. 

Anyone who is interested in any wreaths (goats love them), contact  me at 229-6317. 

Please wear a mask per Covid-19 Protocol.    

Each of these live, balsam veteran’s wreath was a gift of respect and appreciation, donated by a private citizen or organization and placed on graves by volunteers as a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy. For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used as a symbol of honor and have served as a living tribute renewed annually.

Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active duty military and their families and when volunteers say the name of a veteran out loud, when placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our memory.  

Wreaths Across America would like to thank the dedicated volunteers for overcoming the many obstacles presented in 2020.  Each person has played an important a part in the mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. 

Sales are ongoing for Clarion’s 2021ceremony, to be held on Saturday, December 18th.

(Thank you to Noreen for this article. If you are available, please plan to help with the wreath retirement and also consider donating for a wreath/wreaths, for this year’s Wreath ceremony.)