Nathan Jeffers/photo
Pictured is one of the graves with a wreath placed on it in Lone Oak Cemetery.
POINT PLEASANT — Members of the Colonel Charles Lewis Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and several local veterans recently participated in “Wreaths Across America” and placed wreaths on the graves of veterans.
During the recent ceremony in the Medal of Honor Park, led by Chapter Regent Cora Teel along with Chapter members Debbie Hickel and Brooke Price, and organized by Chapter Registrar Diana Johnson, the following veterans presented wreaths for their respective branches of the United States armed forces: James McCormick, the U.S. Army; Randall Bare, the U.S. Marine Corps; Joseph Antal, the U.S. Air Force; Harold Pickens, the U.S. Merchant Marine; and Miles Epling, honoring servicemen who were prisoners of war or missing in action. Price presented the wreath for the U.S. Navy and Hickel presented the wreath for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Following the ceremony, 49 wreaths were then placed on veterans’ graves in Lone Oak Cemetery. Local wreath donors included the American Legion Post 23, Tammy Butcher, Roger and Twyla Clark, Darlene Haer, Diana Johnson, Nancy Mayes, Barbara Rutledge, Cora Teel, Kathy VanMeter, and Belva Workman. It was also previously reported that “Wreaths Across America” would donate one free wreath for each branch of service.
During the ceremony, Price also performed the National Anthem and the colors were posted by the Point Pleasant Chapter Sons of the American Revolution.
Johnson previously stated the chapter’s ultimate goal is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in Mason County, which coincides with “Wreaths Across America’s” goal of placing a wreath on every veteran’s grave in the country.
As previously reported, “Wreaths Across America” began with Morrill Worcester and the Worcester Wreath Company in 1992, when the company had extra wreaths at the end of the holiday season. Worcester had the wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery, and the cause has continued to grow, expanding to other communities and local groups.
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