Clarion County Joins Nation In Solemn Wreaths Across America Tribute On Saturday (December 18th)

(Above image: Clarion County Wreaths Across America Coordinator Noreen Shirey at the podium. Wreaths to be placed for various branches of service and POW-MIA on table.)

Saturday, December 18th was Wreaths Across America Day and Clarion County came out in a big way in this solemn observance of deceased Veterans.

I attended the Ceremony and Wreath laying in Clarion, at the Clarion and Immaculate Conception Cemeteries. The Ceremony included Clarion and Immaculate Conception, along with Tylersburg, New Rehobeth, Frogtown, Seceder, Strattanville Memorial, Strattanville Centenial, Limestone, Churchville, Licking, Fisher Methodist and Fisher Presbyterian. After the Clarion Ceremony the others held Wreath Layings at their Cemeteries.

There were a number of other ceremonies at Cemeteries in and around Clarion County. A number of comments and photos from some of those are included in this article.

The Wreaths Across America project, which is dedicated to placing wreaths on the graves of every veteran. This event, which began in 1992 is held “each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day . . . is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,000 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad”.

Noreen Shirey welcomed those representing the various cemeteries and others gathered. Pastor Raafat Girgis of the New Rehobeth Greenville and Pisgah Presbyterian Churches gave the Invocation.

Then the Posting of the Colors was performed by the Clarion Civil Air Patrol, with Erin Lewis singing the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Boy Scout Troop #51.  

Courtney Kirkwood placed the The POW/ MIA chair, along with her sons.. 

There was a Ceremonial Wreath Laying for the various branches of the service and POW and MIA.

Those placing the wreaths included: Mary Wilson – for the U.S. Navy, Anthony Terrana – for the U.S. Army, Derek Oberlander – for the U.S. Marines, Heather Nulph – for the U.S. Air Force, Gabrielle Miller – for the U.S. Space Force, Dave Hauser – for the U.S. Coast Guard, Valerie DeCorte – for the U.S. Merchant Marines and Eric Vinson – for the U.S. POW and MIA.

Speakers included Sheriff elect and longtime Clarion Borough Police Officer Shawn Zerfoss, US Army Veteran Lenny Bashline and Richard Weaver – Father of Rick Weaver, who gave his life in the attack on the USS Cole.  

Erin Lewis led the gathering was led in singing “God Bless America.”

After Noreen shared some closing thoughts, A-C Valley Band Director Scott DiTullio played TAPs, while Air Force Veteran, Diana Hillyard led Triton, the Riderless Horse, along Second Avenue. Triton is owned by Monique Nellis of Heavenly Gaits Therapeutic Riding Center.  

Retired Reverend Nancy Zahn gave the Benediction.

Then the wreaths were placed at the Veterans’ graves.

Chuck Andrews, the Wreaths Across America’s truck driver who distributed to Clarion, I-C and a number of other cemeteries in the area passed along these nice words: please somewhere place a big, huge Thank You to everyone who showed up to welcome Joe’s truck and myself and thanks for all the awesome gifts truly amazing and appreciated!!

Comments from various individuals handling Wreaths Across America events in the area:

Noreen Shirey – Clarion County WWA Coordinator:

I think things went really well. I was pleased so many showed up in the bad weather.  For adding 6 cemeteries in the last month it was a real testament to how much this mission means to Clarion County.  People want to include more cemeteries and be able to honor their own veterans, and are contacting me to get information, we are all working together to make this happen.  We are already making plans for next December.   

We are looking for groups who want to do fundraise for this mission, which is on-going throughout the year.  Groups earn $5.00 per each wreath.  1825 veterans currently in just the 13 cemeteries I do.  Thanks to everyone who helped make this year a sucess!

Jerry Wolbert – St. Joseph’s Lucinda Committee Member: The 2021 Wreaths across America was held at St Joseph Church. The event was held in the social hall with a full room of people attending.

Program Coordinator was Anne Ochs along with committee members Mary Lutz, Judy Wolbert and Jerry Wolbert.

Guests were treated to a slide show of area veterans, also on display were actual uniforms along with Service Medals and newspaper clippings. Keynote speaker was Command Sergeant Major Timothy Nicewonger of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Corporal Nicewonger is also a veteran of the United States Army. Taps was played by Rachael Bendal. Also participating was the Farmington Township Fire Company. There was even a surprise visit from Santa Claus who gave a special blessing too.

All the wreaths before they were placed on the grave sites.

Anne Ochs – St. Joseph’s Lucinda Coordinator: It was an honor to do this for our veterans. They give and sacrifice so much for our freedom as well as others freedom. So very thankful for my team of helpers and all those who sponsored wreaths and all who attended our program in honor of our veterans.

Remember Honor. And to each of our veterans. Thank you for all you do. Merry Christmas!

Kim Beham – East Brady and Brady’s Bend Area Coordinator: Our WAA ceremony was held inside due to the rain. The parents and kids that helped place the wreaths didn’t let the rain stop them. Members of American Legion Post 488 places over 900 flags on veterans’ graves at approximately 17 cemeteries in May.

My goal would be to get local churches, community organizations, and locals to help raise enough money to place a wreath on every gravesite that we place flags on.

Tina Flick – Rimersburg Coordinator (And also Clarion County Chair for Walk to End Alzheimers):  

Although today was a very wet and rainy day, that did not stop many community members from coming out and honoring our fallen veteran’s. With the help of the community, we were able to place over 1,100 wreaths in ten cemeteries. Those cemeteries include Rimersburg, Old Seceder, The Mausoleum, Duncan, Lawsonham, Mt. Hope, United Presbyterian Church, Independent, Randolph, Grandview and Bethesda.

We have added Sligo Cemetery to our 2022 list also. Wreaths are $15 each and until January 14th, 2022 they are running a buy one – get one free event. That would mean 2 wreaths for $15. For more information contact me at 814-229-9297.

As you may have already noticed there are several new roads that have been constructed at the Rimersburg cemetery. The Rimersburg Cemetery Association is using the profits from Wreaths Across America to purchase the upcoming limestone for this project.

On behalf of the Rimersburg Cemetery Association, we would like to thank Eric Cicciarelli for supplying his backhoe, dozer, and dump truck, also, the rock for the project and his time spent excavating the roads.  We also Thank Lee Cicciarelli and Bubba for their help running equipment, as well as Heb Radaker for furnishing his roller and operating it.

Thank you to Rod Flick for spending time getting the roads laid out, and lastly Thank you to CBF contracting for loaning their dump truck to help haul the topsoil and rock for the project.  We are not finished with the roads, but plan on doing more in the upcoming year.  

The Rimersburg Cemetery Associations would like to thank the countless people who helped in so many ways. There are so many people that we need to thank. I know I would forget someone. We are so grateful for the community members’ support in Wreaths Across America. Here’s to another great year!

Romayne McGinnis – Knox Area Coordinator: Eighteen different cemeteries were ALL covered this year with 957 sponsored wreaths.

The Ceremony went well at the Knox American Legion parking lot again this year.  I broadcast with a microphone as well as a transmitter, to the car radios for the ones who wanted to stay out of the rain and keep warm and dry. 

I had lots of volunteers and it was short work to lay the wreaths.   I have been told there are a few more that I missed in the area so will be adding them for next year. 

I am very thankful to the community for all their help to accomplish this wonderful mission.

(Thanks to all who participated in the 2021 Wreaths Across America, and to all the Veterans, Thank you for your service!!

And thank you to all of those throughout the county who contributed comments and/or images for this article.)