Wreaths will honor vets
Local wreath-laying ceremonies honor veterans

Cathy Dyson

Date published: 12/4/2008

Cathy Dyson

For the next two Saturdays, thousands of wreaths will be placed at national cemeteries in the Fredericksburg area to honor those who fought in foreign wars or served stateside in the military.

The first event is one family's effort to remember a son who died in the war against terrorism. The second is part of a national program that will place holiday greens and red ribbons on headstones from Alabama to Washington.

NATIONAL WREATH PROJECT

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Quantico National Cemetery, in the main circle at Rappahannock Way.

The McColley family of North Carolina will place a wreath on their son's grave--and those of more than 2,200 veterans buried near him in Sections 8, 9 and 10.

Eric McColley, 23, was one of seven Marines killed when two helicopters were shot down in Africa in February 2006, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The first Christmas after Eric's death, his parents, John and Susan, created the Sgt. Mac Foundation. Throughout the year, the McColleys raise money to decorate tombstones and to help young veterans.

The couple was unable to double the number of wreaths placed this year because of the lack of funds. Each wreath costs $7, and the foundation still hasn't collected enough to cover the 400 wreaths to be placed at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and the 2,200 at Quantico.

The McColleys will be joined by individuals, along with American Legion groups, motorcycle clubs, Marines and members of the Knights of Columbus. All are welcome to help.

Donations can be made online at sgtmac.org or sent to: Sgt. Mac Foundation, Box 936, Grandy, N.C. 27939.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

WHEN: Noon, Dec. 13

WHERE: Quantico National Cemetery and Culpeper National Cemetery

Two local ceremonies will be part of a nationwide effort to place more than 100,000 wreaths on graves at 350 cemeteries across America.

The Worcester Wreath Company in Maine started donating wreaths 17 years ago to Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who fought in long-ago wars as well as modern battles. The company invited others to join the effort, and the project spread.

The Fredericksburg Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will conduct the service at Quantico. Cadets will place seven ceremonial wreaths in the circle at Rappahannock Way. That's one for each branch of the military, plus Merchant Marines and for more than 93,000 prisoners of war or those missing in action.

The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club will lead events in Culpeper. For the first time, wreaths also will be placed on 200 private headstones, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The Blue Knights eventually hope to decorate all 10,000 headstones at the Culpeper cemetery with sponsored wreaths.

Donations can be made online at wreathsacrossamer ica.org or sent to: Wreaths Across America, Box 256, Harrington, Maine 04643.

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com



NATIONAL WREATH PROJECT WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Quantico National Cemetery, in the main circle at Rappahannock Way.

The McColley family of North Carolina will place a wreath on their son's grave--and those of more than 2,200 veterans buried near him in Sections 8, 9 and 10.

Eric McColley, 23, was one of seven Marines killed when two helicopters were shot down in Africa in February 2006, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The first Christmas after Eric's death, his parents, John and Susan, created the Sgt. Mac Foundation. Throughout the year, the McColleys raise money to decorate tombstones and to help young veterans.

The couple was unable to double the number of wreaths placed this year because of the lack of funds. Each wreath costs $7, and the foundation still hasn't collected enough to cover the 400 wreaths to be placed at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and the 2,200 at Quantico.

The McColleys will be joined by individuals, along with American Legion groups, motorcycle clubs, Marines and members of the Knights of Columbus. All are welcome to help.

Donations can be made online at sgtmac.org or sent to: Sgt. Mac Foundation, Box 936, Grandy, N.C. 27939.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA WHEN: Noon, Dec. 13 WHERE: Quantico National Cemetery and Culpeper National Cemetery

Two local ceremonies will be part of a nationwide effort to place more than 100,000 wreaths on graves at 350 cemeteries across America.

The Worcester Wreath Company in Maine started donating wreaths 17 years ago to Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who fought in long-ago wars as well as modern battles. The company invited others to join the effort, and the project spread.

The Fredericksburg Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will conduct the service at Quantico. Cadets will place seven ceremonial wreaths in the circle at Rappahannock Way. That's one for each branch of the military, plus Merchant Marines and for more than 93,000 prisoners of war or those missing in action.

The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club will lead events in Culpeper. For the first time, wreaths also will be placed on 200 private headstones, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The Blue Knights eventually hope to decorate all 10,000 headstones at the Culpeper cemetery with sponsored wreaths.

Donations can be made online at wreathsacrossamerica.org or sent to: Wreaths Across America, Box 256, Harrington, Maine 04643.

Date published: 12/4/2008

Ellie