We learned in the Tuesday, Oct. 17, edition of the Butler Eagle about good news that will require some extra work.

Bridget Miller, local coordinator for National Wreaths Across America Day, told Mars borough council Mars, Mount Pleasant and West Union cemeteries were approved for participation in this year's program, which is scheduled Dec. 16.

Wreaths Across America Day has its origins in the 1990s, when the Worcester Wreath Company started donating wreaths to be put on graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia as a way to honor veterans. In the early 2000s, the effort started to get national attention, and the company formed a nonprofit, Wreaths Across America in 2007. The organization’s goal is to remember veterans who served, to honor their contribution and teach others about the sacrifices veterans have made to keep the country safe.

Since 2008, Wreaths Across America Day has been held in December and has grown from 300 locations to more than 3,700. In 2022, volunteers placed more than 2.7 million wreaths on veterans’ graves. And volunteers are absolutely key to the event.

Last year, more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry helped make the event possible.

Mars Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7505 is hosting the wreath event, and is planning a ceremony at noon Dec. 16, with the wreath laying to follow at all three cemeteries.

Miller is now looking for more volunteers. In all, more than 800 wreaths are needed for the veterans in all three cemeteries, and 300 are needed for Mars Cemetery alone.

Miller needs help identifying all of the veterans’ graves in Mars Cemetery, as well.

People or organizations can sponsor a wreath either for a particular veteran or just sponsor a single wreath.

This is an important event, and one we’re glad is expanding its scope locally. To find out more or to volunteer, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/PA0809.

— JK