Wreaths Across America wreaths are on the way

A truckload of wreaths is on its way to Putnam County as the Washburn Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution plans a ceremony at noon on Saturday as part of the national Wreaths Across America event.

Courtesy NSDAR

Washburn Chapter of the NSDAR has announced that its first order of wreaths to decorate graves of military veterans will be arriving Thursday, Dec. 16 and will be fresh for the noon ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 18.

The truck carrying the wreaths will arrive at Interstate 70 and U.S. 231 around 8 a.m. Thursday, from which point it will receive a police escort to Forest Hill Cemetery by Cloverdale Town Marshal Steve Hibler, who is also a veteran.

The truck will be easy to identify, as it will be labeled with large WAA letters on the side. The cab is bright red and it will also be decorated.

Anyone who would like to follow the veterans wreaths to the cemetery may do line up along 231 just north of I-70.

Many of the truck drivers for this volunteer service are also veterans. Melissa, who will be driving the truck to Forest Hill, was raised in a career military family. This is her first time driving for this event.

“I am so excited and can’t wait to meet everyone,” she said.

Melissa’s truck will be parked near Veterans Highway just north of the Forest Hill. Jason Keeney and his staff will offload the boxes and store them until Saturday, when the ceremony and formal wreath laying will take place.

Members of the DAR will host the event on Saturday. Members of the Honor Guard formed from the Greencastle’s American Legion and the VFW, other veterans and members of the community have also volunteered.

There are more than 2,500 cemeteries across the nation, including Arlington National Cemetery, which will be participating in this solemn event, many at the same hour.

The local ceremony will be held in front of the Revolutionary War Monument. This is where the nine ceremonial wreaths will be placed by veterans of the various branches. The DAR is still looking for a veteran or active duty service member to lay the wreaths for the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force (who can be Air Force), Merchant Marine and Coast Guard.

“Please attend our first Wreaths Across America event and bring a guest or 10,” Washburn Chapter Regent Diana Brumfield said. “Join us as we remember, honor and teach about our country and its strength.”

Revoluntionary War Monument: Did You Know?

More than 100 years ago, this monument was placed by the Washburn Chapter of the DAR on Nov. 5, 1915. It is made of Barre Granite, and Washburn was the first chapter in the state to dedicate a monument for these first veterans.

Businesses were closed and a parade was led from the library to the cemetery.