Last Saturday morning on Wreaths Across America Day, approximately 30 people gathered at Putnam County’s Veterans Wall of Honor Park in downtown Eatonton, where local VFW Commander Nikki Barker reminded everyone of the mission to help lay wreaths on veterans’ gravestones at several local cemeteries.
Eatonton represented just one of more than 4,900 locations nationwide, in which millions of volunteers participated — about a third of them children — to honor the nation’s heroes by placing over three million sponsored veterans’ wreaths.
An old saying declares, “A person dies twice. They take their final breath the first time, and then again later when their name is no longer spoken out loud.”
In recognition, Wreaths Across America volunteers are encouraged to thank recipients at the graveside for their service and to say each veteran’s name aloud while laying each wreath to ensure they are remembered on a personal level.
Barker stressed that the wreaths are not merely a means of decorating each veteran’s final resting place but also recognizing their lives and sacrifices for their country and providing a personal thank you for serving.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteers who devoted their valuable time during this holiday season to remember the fallen, honor those who served, and teach the next generation the significance of freedom,” Barker said this week.
“A special acknowledgment goes to our sponsors, donors, and supporters who empower this mission year after year,” she continued. “We laid about 600 wreaths in Putnam County while kicking off our most significant fundraising campaign through January 10th. These stunning live balsamic fir wreaths from Maine are $17 each. We are trying to raise as much money as possible to take advantage of savings as we can pre-order during January and get a buy-one-get-one deal to support the event next December.”
Barker, who also manages the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store on Oak Street, near Hwy. 441, said the store maintains a year-round collection jar conveniently located next to the cash register.
“Every little contribution helps us reach next year’s goal of ensuring all Putnam County veterans’ headstones receive a wreath,” she said. “Donations to this worthy event also provide donors with last-minute tax write-offs.”
Wreaths Across America is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/ 163570/ Overview).