LOCAL

DAR chapter participates in Wreaths Across America

Special to the
Times-News
Members of the Joseph McDowell Chapter participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery: Joyce Marschke, Linda Sizemore, Lynn McFarland, Nora Jones, Jan Dockendorf, Cricket Crigler, Sharon Coffey, Nicole Fine, Sharon Horan and Dulcie Fusillo. Not shown Kathryn Herrmann. [PHOTO PROVIDED]

The Joseph McDowell Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution participated in Wreaths Across America day on Dec. 15 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.

Members of the Hendersonville DAR Chapter joined other local groups to sponsor 3,000 wreaths and to help with wreath placement.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization started in 1992 to remember and honor veterans. Each year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those that served and teach the next generation the value of freedom. The 2018 theme is “Be their witness.”

As each wreath was placed on a headstone, the name of the veteran was spoken aloud, thereby honoring bearing witness.

Live balsam wreaths, numbering 1.8 million, were made in Maine and transported to Arlington National Cemetery and 1,600 other locations in 50 states, at sea and abroad.

This year, the organization was able to place wreaths at the graves of all U.S. service members laid to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.