More than 2,300 balsam wreaths went on veterans’ graves from Forks to Gardiner on Saturday for National Wreaths Across America Day.
A public ceremony was held in Mount Angeles Memorial Park Cemetery on Dec. 14 followed by public and private wreath-laying ceremonies across Clallam County, and in Gardiner Cemetery for Medal of Honor recipient Marvin Shields.
Diane Cox, location co-coordinator for Dungeness Cemetery, said the wreaths are not a decoration for the holidays, but an honor.
Organizers with the Michael Trebert Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) previously said the balsam symbolizes longevity and endurance, the red bow the veteran’s great sacrifice, the forest scent embodies purity and simplicity, and the circular shape represents eternity.
“Even though it looks like a Christmas wreath, it has so much symbolism and meaning behind it,” Cmdr. Lorri Gilchrist (ret. U.S. Navy) previously said.
Now in its fifth year, the local DAR chapter joined more than 4,800 sites across the nation for the national event.
The Michael Trebert Chapter, led by regent Tordini, participated in the national program in 2020 with 764 wreaths placed on veterans’ graves in Sequim View Cemetery. The national event was founded 30-plus years ago by Morrill Worcester.
Randy Skoglund, a ret. U.S. Navy air traffic controller and Vietnam veteran, said he’s helped in Sequim for four of the event’s five years.
“It’s an honor to do this and continue to honor them for their sacrifices,” he said.
Cox said along with veterans, several community members helped place wreaths too.
For each veteran, a volunteer will place the wreath and then say the veteran’s name aloud.
They’ll be picked up on Jan. 11 in Dungeness and recycled at Lazy J Tree Farm.
Each summer, trained Michael Trebert DAR Chapter volunteers work to preserve and clean veteran markers for Wreaths Across America so volunteers can clearly read the names.
Wreath sponsorships are $17 each, or when two are purchased, a third is added to the order for free. Sponsor wreaths for 2025 online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/WA0153.
Sequim Gazette photso by Matthew Nash Balsam wreaths await placement at Dungeness Cemetery on Dec. 14 for National Wreaths Across America Day. Organizers estimate more than 2,300 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves across Clallam County and in Gardiner.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Ken Cox, ret. U.S. Army Cpl., salutes a veteran after placing a wreath in Dungeness Cemetery on Dec. 14 for National Wreaths Across America Day.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Ken Cox, ret. U.S. Army Cpl., places a wreath on veteran’s grave in Dungeness Cemetery on Dec. 14 for National Wreaths Across America Day.
