The wreaths, and the remembrance of sacrifices they seek to honor, are once again spreading across the North Olympic Peninsula and across the nation this coming weekend.
Community members are invited to public wreath-laying ceremonies as part of the National Wreaths Across America Day, joining more than 3,700 other locations with similar events across the country.
Coordinated and led by the Michael Trebert chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and sponsorship groups Dungeness Composite Civil Air Patrol and Port Angeles High School NJROTC, have raised funds throughout the year to sponsor the placement of 2,411 veterans’ wreaths at 14 locations from Gardiner Community Cemetery to Forks Cemetery.
Mount Angeles Memorial Park Cemetery, an official Wreaths Across America location, will include the Dungeness Composite Civil Air Patrol presenting flags, eight ceremonial service branch wreaths being placed by veterans themselves for each branch of the military plus POW/MIA, representation from Junior American Eagle youths, a rider-less horse salute, playing of “Taps” and bagpipe music.
The 22-inch live balsam wreaths from the State of Maine will be placed on the headstones of local fallen service members laid to rest at 14 locations across the region.
After a remembrance wreath is placed by the public, the veteran’s name is said out loud and thanked for their service.
The Michael Trebert DAR Chapter has been cleaning and preserving veteran markers throughout the summer in preparation.
This is the fourth year of Wreaths Across America on the peninsula.
Event organizers note that while veterans are often remembered at Memorial Day and Veterans Day, they are often forgotten during the holidays.
“This annual event seeks to further the yearling mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom, ensuring that the memory of those who served our country endures,” organizers said.
Along with the Port Angeles event, a second public ceremony is set for Forks Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16.
Locals will be having wreath-laying events at: Blue Mountain Cemetery in Port Angeles at 9 a.m.; Dungeness Cemetery in Sequim at 11 a.m.; Gardiner Community Cemetery in Gardiner at 1 p.m.; and Sequim View Cemetery in Sequim, also at 1 p.m.
Private wreath-laying ceremonies are scheduled at Jamestown S’Klallam Cemetery in Jamestown Pioneer Memorial Park in Sequim, Zaccardo Family Cemetery in Blyn, and Oceanview Cemetery in Port Angeles.