PORT ANGELES – Nearly 24-hundred wreaths will be placed at grace markers for Clallam County Veterans this weekend.
It’s part of the national “Wreaths Across America” effort. Locally, the Michael Trebert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution organizes the effort.
This is the third year here, and the group has expanded the wreath laying to now cover cemeteries from Gardiner to Forks. This year they will have a special public ceremony prior to the wreath laying at Mount Angeles Memorial Park in Port Angeles. That ceremony starts Saturday morning at 11.
DAR local Regent Judy Tordini on the significance of the wreath laying this time of year:
“But at Christmas, life gets so busy with whatever, you know, self-absorbed or gift giving or whatever you choose to do in your community. But oftentimes the veterans are forgotten, especially those that have fought for our freedom and have died. So, it’s a way to bring these cemeteries alive across the nation. And most importantly, it’s not just the wreaths. The wreaths are just a symbol, just like a wedding ring. That at Christmas, we want to remember them also, and remember our freedom and continue that throughout the year. And saying their name out loud is one of the most touching ways that we really honor the veteran,” said Tordini.
The Saturday ceremony will have a Navy flyover, remarks, and several ceremonial features including a riderless horse salute. Following the ceremony, volunteers will fan out across the cemetery to lay wreaths and say the name of each veteran as the wreath is placed.