Coweta Participates in Wreaths Across America

Coweta veterans will participate in the national "Wreaths Across America" program with ceremonies Saturday.

Having its beginning in a small New England holiday wreath making company, "Wreaths Across America" has grown and now covers the entire nation, furnishing Christmas wreaths for placement on the graves of fallen warriors.

Arlington National Cemetery, for example, is provided with enough wreaths for every grave. Additionally, the program provides to other national cemeteries, communities and veterans' organizations, a symbolic number of wreaths to be appropriately used to commemorate their war dead.

Through the efforts of John O'Connor, a member of both the American Legion and VFW, the Coweta Veterans' Club receives seven wreaths each year, which are placed on the honor rolls at Veterans' Memorial Plaza at the Newnan city park at Temple Avenue and Jackson Street.

This year's ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon.

The wreath placement is a solemn ceremony, touched by the spirit of Christmas. Participants include members of veterans' and other patriotic organizations.

O'Connor, speaking for the sponsors, extended an invitation to the public to attend. "This ceremony, which remembers and honors, is also a time to reflect on all the Christmases missed by those names on the cold bronze plaques. Those departed souls, who made the supreme sacrifice, may just rest easier knowing that we wish the memory of them, a Merry Christmas."

The program will last only about thirty minutes. There will be a limited number of folding chairs available for attendees. Anyone needing more information is asked to call Dick Stender at 770-301-6076.