Wreaths on veterans’ graves remember, honor and teach
Lewistown women started local program in 2019
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REEDSVILLE -- Five years ago, Cheryl Swineford, Kathy Nace and a small group of friends set out to honor veterans in Mifflin County who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The Lewistown women placed wreaths on the graves at Mount Rock Cemetery at the end of Oakland Avenue in Lewistown as part of the Wreaths Across America initiative. It took them three years to honor all of the veterans in the cemetery.
"I saw a friend on Facebook that went to Arlington (National Cemetery) on Wreath Day, and decided I wanted to participate," Swineford said. "My first year was 2017, we drove to Portage (Cambria County). My second year was 2018, and we drove to Lewisburg to participate."
In 2019, Swineford and the others focused their attention on the veterans who were laid to rest in Mifflin County.
That first year, they also honored veterans in the Black Cemetery across from Sheetz in Lewistown as well as the Old Town Cemetery where Dorcas Buchanan is buried.
Last year, the group recognized veterans at Church Hill Cemetery, Reedsville. "This cemetery also has many veterans and will take this year and next year to honor all of them," Swineford explained. "Our goal as a group is to honor every veteran in Mifflin County over the coming year and as long as we are able to continue to raise the money and we are able bodied to continue."
The group raises the necessary funds to purchase the wreaths that are laid on the graves each year. Each wreath costs $17.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 16.
The event remembers and honors veterans by laying wreaths on the graves of the country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.
Locally, the ceremonies are slated for 12 p.m. at the Church Hill Cemetery.
"This cemetery also has many veterans and will take this year and next year to honor all of them," Swineford added. "We do several fundraisers a year to earn this money to pay for the wreaths."
The group has two fundraisers currently underway. The first is a painting party, through Painting Parties by Judy, scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Centre Union Church, 200 Greenwood Ave., Yeagertown. The theme is "Painting Under the Sea." The cost is $30, which includes all supplies. Refreshments will be provided.
The second fundraiser is a bus trip to the Baltimore Aquarium on Saturday, Sept. 9. The cost is $80 for adults, $72 for children ages 5 to 10 and adults age 70-plus and $37 for children under 4. Children under 4 will be admitted to the aquarium for free. Half of the cost of the ticket reserves a seat. The remainder is due by Aug. 19. Limited seating is available.
"We are looking for volunteers to join us on not only wreath laying day but also to help with fundraising, getting the cemetery ready the day before, meeting the tractor trailer for delivery of the wreaths," Swineford said.
Wreaths Across America not only remembers the fallen and honors those who serve, but it also teaches children the value of freedom.
Organizers stress that even though the nation celebrates veterans on Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, service members sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year to preserve our freedom.
In many homes across the country, there is an empty seat for one who is serving currently or one who might have made the ultimate sacrifice. Swineford said there is no better time to express appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday season.
"We actually have many volunteers on wreath-laying day," Swineford explained. "The Chief Logan Fire Co. comes each year to lay wreaths. We have a boy scout and cub scout troop that comes to help.
"There are many veterans that come and community members as well," she added.
To find a cemetery close to you or sponsor a wreath, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.