SMETHPORT — The Sons of the American Legion Squadron #138 in Smethport will sponsor a Wreaths Across America fundraiser from 2-7 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion on West Main Street.
The SAL is the local support organization for Wreaths Across America that recognizes military heroes from the Revolutionary War to the present by sponsoring a wreath in their memory for the 2021 Remember, Honor and Teach National Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10 a. m. December 18 at the Smethport Fire Department.
SAL Squadron #138 is seeking sponsors for wreaths that will be placed on local veterans’ graves following the nationwide ceremony that is part of the Wreaths Across America campaign. The easier method to contribute is by completing a form that is found in the informational pamphlets accompanied with a check or money order and send or deliver to the Smethport American Legion, ATTN.: Todd Witchen.
Orders will also be accepted online at the WAA website.
Nov. 29 is the deadline for ordering.
Admission for Saturday’s event in the upstairs meeting room of the Bucktail Post #138 is $15 — the cost of the wreath — for those who have not yet sponsored one.
Music begins at 3 p. m. There will also be food, Chinese auction and raffles.
“Our goal is purchasing approximately 1,000 wreaths to be placed at the graves of veterans who are buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Smethport, Goodwin Cemetery in Farmers Valley and Fairmont Cemetery off the East Valley Road in Keating Township,” said Todd Witchen, squadron commander.
Wreaths Across America is a program only for military veterans. Any wreaths purchased for civilians will not be placed on a veteran’s grave.
WAA traces its beginnings back to the Arlington National Cemetery in 1992 when Morrill and Karen Worcester of Harrington, ME, were motivated to place a ceremonial wreath at every fallen hero’s memorial marker. By 2007, the couple’s initiative had expanded to a national program. Today, WAA, a non-profit organization coordinates wreath-laying events at more than 2,500 sites in the United States and abroad.
