Wreaths Across America Cornwall is once again looking for volunteers and sponsors for Stake Day, set for Saturday, Dec. 5, at noon, and Wreath Day on Saturday, Dec. 19, also at noon. Both events are at at St. Thomas of Canterbury Cemetery, which is on Mailler Ave.
This year’s theme is ‘Remember Me’.
“We are seeking renewed focus on the individual lives behind America’s military service as we recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States,” Cornwall’s program organizer Melanie Larkin said. “Through ceremonies, education, and community engagement, the organization will ensure service members’ stories continue to be told, and their names are never forgotten” and we wholeheartedly stand behind that.”
Nationwide in 2025, 3.1 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths were placed across the country. Millions of volunteers participated at 5594 locations nationwide. More than a third of the volunteers were children. In addition, over 1200 volunteer professional truck drivers delivered 727 truckloads and 45 intermodal loads of wreaths nationwide, using donated equipment and fuel from approximately 325 trucking companies.
“Our Cornwall location is so grateful to be a part of these numbers. 200 volunteers attend on Wreath Day, 400 wreaths are placed, dozens of sponsors help us achieve our goal, food and snack donations graciously from our families, and so much more,” Larkin added. “All of you who show up that day year after year, it is absolutely amazing. Seeing the young kids, the scouts, the Cornwall NHS students, the ROTC cadets, the middle school band, and all the volunteers makes this just that more special of a day. And every year these wreaths are sponsored in full and many thanks to all of you who help.”
As of November 1, so far 292 wreaths have been sponsored in Cornwall with 116 to go. T sponsor a wreath, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/159428/Overview
Larkin asked that anyone interested in participating on either of the two days reach out to her at 845-549-3638. Follow the “Wreaths Across America - Cornwall” Facebook page for more information.
“I am inspired by the words of Karen Worcester executive director of Wreath Across America, that “we are not here to ‘decorate graves’,” she said. “We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”