American Legion hosts Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit

American Legion Post 71 Commander Tom Hansen lays a ceremonial wreath at the opening of the Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit in Charles Town on Monday, while members of the Jefferson High School JROTC Color Guard stand at attention. Toni Milbourne
CHARLES TOWN — The American Legion Post 71 in Charles Town hosted the Wreaths Across American’s Mobile Education Exhibit at their post home in Charles Town on Monday. The exhibit honors veterans, volunteers and community supporters across the country and tells the story of the Wreaths Across America program.
A brief opening ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Monday just prior to the exhibit opening to the public. Members of the Jefferson High School Junior ROTC posted the colors as American Legion Commander Tom Hansen laid a ceremonial wreath. John Taylor, piper with the City of Winchester Pipes & Drums played “Amazing Grace.”
Anne Quinn, site coordinator for Wreaths Across America at the Charles Town American Legion spoke briefly about how the project began at Edge Hill Cemetery five years ago.
“There are over 750 veterans in Edge Hill,” Quinn said, mentioning that the Jefferson High School JROTC has been cataloging the graves so that not one veteran will be missed.
“I encourage all to take advantage of the education center to learn about the mission of the wreaths,” Quinn said.
Robert Errthum, driver ambassador with Wreaths Across America told those gathered that at last count there were approximately 2,557 locations nationwide that receive wreaths and three overseas locations.
“There will be about 3,000 this year,” Errthum said.
Wreaths Across America Day is scheduled this year for Dec. 18, when volunteers will gather in the cemeteries by the thousands to pay homage to veterans by laying a wreath.
“The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America.
She went on to say that in light of the current health crisis, the exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring.
The first placing of wreaths occurred in 1992 when just 12 volunteers placed 5,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. In 2020, that number jumped to approximately 1,700,000 wreaths laid by thousands of volunteers at more than 2,500 locations. While the Wreaths Across America program is most notable for placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, the wreaths that are placed around the nation show that the honor shown to the nation’s veterans goes beyond a focus on that national cemetery.
Individuals can find out more about the Wreaths Across America program at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Locally, one can contact Quinn at the American Legion Post or simply arrive at noon on Dec. 18 at Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town to assist with placing wreaths on the graves of those American heroes who were laid to rest there.