Wreaths Across America Shipments Delivered For Saturday’s (December 17th) Ceremonies

on 15 December, 2022 at 18:27

Thanks to all whose photos are include; two many to list (more photos at the bottom of the article)

The Wreaths Across America (WAA) Convoys distributed wreaths around the Clarion County area on Tuesday and Wednesday (December 13th and 14th), in preparation for the National Wreaths Across America Ceremonies and Wreath Laying, that will take place on Saturday, (December 17th). There are over fifty cemeteries in Clarion County where Ceremonies and Wreath Placings will take place this year.

Each December, National Wreaths Across America Day is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at more than three-thousand other locations in all fifty States, at sea and abroad.

Clarion WAA Coordinator, Noreen Shirey and several Co-Coordinators shared their thoughts:

Noreen Shirey: It was amazing! I can’t believe how so many volunteers came out to help! The Clarion-Limestone school was first class!

**Clarion-Limestone Elementary students and teachers with their special welcome**

The Band playing as the entire elementary student body and faculty came outside to greet Skip Frank our Vietnam Veteran! and drivers Chuck Andrews and Joe Rini. Skip and Joe are both from Grand River, Ohio. Chuck is from Cleveland. They needed two days (and two Semis) to deliver wreaths to over 50 cemeteries in the county.

**Clarion-Limestone Band welcoming the WAA entourage**

Mr. Constantino’s Clarion Area history class and Principal Miller-Martini. Gave us a warm welcome!

**Natalie Miller-Martini displays WAA Appreciation Certificate with WAA representatives**

The Immaculate Conception elementary kids and faculty were outstanding. Mayor Jennifer Vinson came out to greet them also.

**Chuck speaking to the I-C students and staff**

Thanks to Assistant Principal Jason Best who helped me coordinate the Junior High student body at Keystone to say thanks! It was great to be able to be at Ross McGinnis’ alma mater.

The day was perfect from start to finish. Chuck, Joe and Skip were very appreciative of the wonderful welcome from Clarion County students.

Many thanks to Jodi Hartle, Post Commander of the Ross A. McGinnis Post #2145, who escorted the entire parade route.

**First Responders who helped everything run smoothly**

Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1 had the sidewalk lined with the American Flags and our flag waving from their aerial truck over I-C. It was a sight to see; the Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company and volunteers for the escort to C-L , and both companies unloaded 1,973 wreaths in record time! I couldn’t do it without them.

**Volunteers offloading for Clarion and I-C Cemeteries**

Thanks to all my co-coordinators too! Courtney Kirkwood – Tylersburg, John Blachier – Strattanville, Rodney Buzard – Limestone, Dale McKain – Salem-Frogtown, Tina Rankin – Asbury, John McCall – New Rehobeth, Cheryl Avery – Helen Furnace, Becky and Brian Manley – Dehner, Dave Bowser and Deb Chapman – Strattanville, Centennial, Fisher Methodist and Presbyterian. Joan Krieble – Old Seceder, Licking, and Churchville.

Other area coordinators Romayne McGinnis – Knox, Ann Ochs – Lucinda, Jackie Greible and Kathy Glosser – Fryburg, Ray Ishman – New Bethlehem, Ken Flick – Marienville, Kim Beham – East Brady, Tina Flick Kennedy – Rimersburg.

I am looking forward to Wreaths across America day on Saturday at Noon on 2nd Avenue, with Speakers: Sen Scott Hutchinson, Rex Munsee, Jodi Hartle and Richard Weaver.

Tina Kennedy Flick Rimersburg and Sligo: These wreaths were delivered to the Rimersburg VFW, but they are also the wreaths for Sligo, I am in charge of both and will get the wreaths to Sligo on Friday to be placed on Saturday.

**Members of the local VFW Post 7132, American Legion Post 454, American Legion Riders Post 720 and Members of the Rimersburg Cemetery Association.**

There will be a combined ceremony Saturday at noon at the Rimersburg Cemetery and then we will disburse to other cemeteries to lay those wreaths.

Romayne McGinnis: Joe Rini from Ohio brought our 1,044 wreaths for the 25 Knox area cemeteries on Tuesday, December 13. We had lots of help and expect the same for our ceremony on Saturday December 17 at 11 at the parking lot of the Knox American Legion.

**Keystone students welcome Wreaths Across America**

We will then disperse to lay the wreaths for our vets. Everyone is invited. Again this year our businesses and people in our Knox area came through sponsoring enough wreaths to cover all. Thank you very much. This is a team effort and everyone’s help to succeed in this mission is greatly appreciated.

**Anne Ochs and St. Josephs students and Chuck with signed banner**

Anne Ochs: It’s always a special day. It’s a great way to get the younger kids Remembering, honoring and teaching of our veterans sacrifices. Not to mention the community spirit that goes on. It was Fryburg, Leeper, Lucinda, Tylersburg, Crown, and Clarion coming together for our veterans. Special thanks Stimey Schill for getting a unloading crew together and the teachers at St. JOSEPH’S for all the artwork the students do for our program.

**Volunteers offloading for Lucinda area cemeteries**

A Special Shoutout from Noreen: Thanks to the Clarion and Limestone Volunteer Firemen who came out to escort and unloading of 1,973 wreaths! Thanks to Lisa Craig, Megan Hull, and all the co-coordinators who came out so early in the cold morning to unload their Veterans’ wreaths for Limestone, Frogtown, Fisher, Curlsville, New Rehobeth, Seceder, Asbury, Strattanville, Helen Furnace and prep work for the parade through the county! I couldn’t do it with out them!

(Great job to all involved in this great. patriotic endeavor!!!!)

More photos:

Clarion-Limestone

**Noreen with Skip Frank and Jim Spangler. Jim, also a Veteran, helps offload at Strattanville, and Clarion and I-C Cemeteries and distributes to an number of cemeteries in the Limestone area.**

Immaculate Conception:

Clarion Area

**Clarion Yearbook Staff with Skip Frank**

East Brady