Every year on December 19th, thousands of cemeteries across the country participate in Wreaths Across America. It is a special day to remember and honor veterans across the country who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Wreath laying ceremonies happen in over 2,100 locations across 50 states, with the biggest of those events happening in Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
One of those wreath-laying events happens right here in Greene County at Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels; this year marks its 10th anniversary. The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club has been placing wreaths in Laurel Point Cemetery for the past ten years, honoring veterans dating as far back as the Revolutionary War.
“Anyone that serves qualifies for respect and honor,” says Andrea Semenoff, Club President of the Women’s Civic Club. “Veterans always need to be remembered no matter where or when they served. In eight out of the last 10 years, we have laid a wreath on every grave, and our oldest veterans are from the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War.”
However, it hasn’t always been as big of a ceremony as it is today. When the Women’s Civic Club first got involved in Wreaths Across America, it wasn’t a big ceremony at all. They heard about the event through a newspaper article and it was brought to the attention of the board of directors. Everyone was on board with the idea, but it was too late to get assistance from sponsors.
So, the ladies banded together and did what they could to make sure that the Women’s Civic Club and Laurel Point Cemetery were able to participate in the event. It may have been a small ceremony, but the organizers at the time had no idea how big their event would become.
“During our first year, we found out about the event and it was already too late to set any sponsors,” says Andrea. “So, we came together and sponsored 10 wreaths and had a small ceremony at Laurel Point Cemetery. We ended up laying the wreaths on the oldest parts of the cemetery honoring the veterans who lay there for their service.”
Since then, the event has grown more and more every year, and this year there will be a total of 346 wreaths laid at Laurel Point Cemetery. They will once again be able to place a wreath on every grave and it is thanks in large part to the help of the community. Without their help sponsoring wreaths, none of this would be possible.
Anyone who wants to sponsor a wreath can visit wreathsacrossamerica.org and click on sponsor a wreath. Thanks to the continual help from the community these wreaths are able to be laid every year and the Women’s Civic Club takes pride in honoring these sponsorships.
“The community does it to help others out,” says Andrea. “Most of our wreath sponsorships are from local people as well as small communities that want to honor our veterans. We also have people who were born in the area and have since moved away. We have one from Maine who sponsors a wreath every single year for the event.”
This year’s theme Is “Be an American Worth Fighting For” and will be a staple of every wreath-laying ceremony across the country. This theme will be incorporated in the speeches and events taking place throughout the day as wreaths are laid and prayers are said to remember those who fought for our freedom.
The speaker for the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Civic Club tree laying will be Bryan Benson from the Veterans Office. He will be joined by the American Legion band under the direction of Frank Ricco and the Honor Guard.
“Each year, the speaker tries to incorporate the theme of the year into their speeches,” Andrea says. “We are excited to have Bryan Benson with us and we expect the event to go on no matter the weather. We have had snow, rain, ice, and sleet but we have pushed through.”
This year’s event will take place on December 19th, National Wreaths Across America Day. The ceremony has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the 346 wreaths will still be placed. Those that sponsored a wreath for a loved one may attend to place the wreath. The club will be following all safety guidelines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are keeping in touch with Wreaths Across America and following the state guidelines,” states Andrea. “So far, the event is scheduled to go on like always, but we will continue to check with the cemetery board. Masks and social distancing will be recommended for the ceremony to make people feel more comfortable.”
We would like to thank all those who served for their service to our country and Wreaths Across America is just one of the many ways to honor their sacrifice and keep their legacy alive year after year.