DAR expands local reach of Wreaths Across America

Wreaths lean against the graves of Civil War veterans in Forest Hill Cemetery last year as part of the Wreaths Across America Program. In 2022, the Washburn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will expand the program to other cemeteries in Putnam County.

Courtesy photo

The Wreaths Across America program in Putnam County will be expanding in 2022.

After focusing its inaugural efforts on Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle in 2021, the Washburn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will provide the chance to order wreaths for veterans buried throughout Putnam County this year.

The goal is to sponsor as many wreaths as possible to cover veterans’ graves in Putnam County. To do this, the Washburn Chapter, in association with the national Wreaths Across America program, has added an option to order wreaths for cemeteries besides Forest Hill.

The one difference will be that wreaths to be placed at other cemeteries will have to picked up at Forest Hill at noon on Dec. 17 (or possibly earlier) rather than being placed by DAR members and other volunteers.

The original option for placement on particular graves at Forest Hill by the DAR remains in place.

Like last year, the DAR will conduct a ceremony honoring all Putnam County veterans at noon on Dec. 17 at Forest Hill Cemetery. Plans include prayer, songs, a special wreath laying for each branch of the armed services, honor guard and “Taps.”

All are encouraged to plan and to bring their children to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and “teach your children the value of freedom.”

The DAR is also encouraging participants to order non-specific wreaths, as there are many Civil War soldiers buried in the historic cemetery who died young with no children.

To order wreaths, which are $15 each, visit https://tinyurl.com/4hyetzz6. The page provides options for ordering at Forest Hill or another locaton.

Orders will be accepted through Nov. 28.

Participants may also send checks to the program coordinator, who will forward them to WAA. Make the check out to WAA and mail it to Diana Brumfield, WAA Location Coordinator, 324 E. CR 1125 South, Cloverdale, IN 46120.

Anyone who is ordering for Forest Hill as well as other cemeteries is asked to write separate checks to WAA.

Participants are asked to follow each cemetery’s rules. Some remote burial grounds may need special permission by local property owners to access.

Anyone who would like a poster for the program to display should email dianabrumfield@gmail.com.