Wreaths Across America ceremony is Saturday

Posted 12/11/24

If you have a few minutes to spare on Saturday, Dec. 14, head to St. Thomas of Canterbury Cemetery, on Mailler Ave. in Cornwall, to take part in the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony and placing …

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Wreaths Across America ceremony is Saturday

Posted

If you have a few minutes to spare on Saturday, Dec. 14, head to St. Thomas of Canterbury Cemetery, on Mailler Ave. in Cornwall, to take part in the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony and placing of wreaths. The event begins at noon.

Melanie Larkin is the organizer of the annual event, and, in advance of the noon ceremony, thanks the community for donating the 390 wreaths that were needed for the cemetery. She’s looking forward to thanking all those who donated, or will volunteer helping to lay the wreaths, on Saturday.

The purpose of the day? “To celebrate the mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, are currently serving, and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Larkin said.

The event will include an opening prayer from Rev. Rees Doughty of St. Marianne Cope Parish, a Newburgh Free Academy JROTC Color Guard, and remarks from Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor James A. Gagliano, an Army veteran. Before the volunteers spread out across the cemetery, there will be a ceremonial wreath laying on the Veterans Monument in the cemetery. Each branch of the military will be honored. As well, a will be wreath placed in honor of the 93,129 United States Servicemen from all branches of the service whose last known status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

“These individuals have never returned to their families and homes. We shall not forget them,” Larkin said.

On December 14, across the nation, some 4500 cemeteries will host wreath-laying ceremonies. At West Point, the event was held last weekend.