Area Wreaths Across America part of huge national project

Sharon Russell of the Conway area is wrapping up the annual fund-raising effort for holiday wreaths for military graves and looking forward to the ceremony in December when volunteers place the wreaths on graves in Florence National Cemetery.

“It’s special to see families at the ceremony, having children place the wreaths,” she said.

Participation of youngsters helps them understand that freedom is not free, Russell says, noting the mission of Wreaths Across America. “Remember, Honor, Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve and their families and Teach the future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.”

The national nonprofit – and an army of local sponsors such as Blue Star Mothers of Coastal Carolina – placed 901,000 remembrance wreaths in 2015, with nearly a million volunteers at 1,108 locations. Nearly 70,000 volunteers were at Arlington National Cemetery in the Washington area, where 240,815 wreaths were placed. Wreaths Across America started in 1992 with Maine Businessman Morrill Worcester donating 5,000 wreaths for Arlington.

Blue Star Mothers of Coastal Carolina started participation in Wreaths Across America in 2010 and placed 272 wreaths on graves in Florence National Cemetery. The number grew to 1,375 in 2014, with about half of the wreaths placed in Florence. The BSMCC wreath numbers dropped in 2015 because of the October flooding. Russell hopes the number will grow again this year.

With a successful pig roast fundraiser Nov. 12 in Conway, and a few days before the deadline for orders, Russell has 1,245 wreaths for the 2016 ceremony, on Dec. 17 in Florence. In addition to Arlington and hundreds of other cemeteries in the United States, ceremonies are also held at several overseas locations, such as the cemetery in Normandy, France, overlooking the beaches where Allied forces landed on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

The pig roast, also sponsored by Warriors Watch Riders, raised $2,500, “which gave us a big boost.” The winner of a package of prizes organized by Lou and Rhonda Mascherino of the Veterans Cafe and Grille will be named Saturday. Russell credits the growth of Wreaths Across America to strong support from many military-related organizations, such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Russell and her husband Joe moved here from the Cleveland area.

BSMCC is a registered sponsor, meaning the chapter receives a third wreath for every two purchased. Mail orders must be received by Nov. 22. Russell says online orders may be placed through Nov. 28 and the chapter also will receive a third wreath.

The ultimate goal is to cover all 12,000 graves in Florence National Cemetery.

“We can cover only about a third. It’s sad to think that we have to choose,” Russell says.

At the Florence cemetery, wreaths may be grave-specific; donors may direct to a loved one’s grave.

“Part of this is helping to raise awareness of contributions veterans have made protecting our freedoms.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 8:24 PM with the headline "Area Wreaths Across America part of huge national project."