Dear Washingtonburg Chapter,
As the cool, fall air and colorful leaves arrive, we must prepare for our inaugural Wreaths Across America event. The goal of Wreaths Across America is to place holiday wreaths on all veterans’ graves across the country. We will do our part to honor America’s veterans by hosting a ceremony on Saturday December 14, 2024, at 10:00 am, at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, one of the oldest in Shippensburg (135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA).
There are 100 veterans, including over one dozen Revolutionary War soldiers, buried in the church’s cemetery. Our goal is to place wreaths on all 100 veterans’ graves, but we need to have that number of wreaths sponsored at our location. Currently, we have 44 wreaths sponsored with seven weeks remaining in our campaign. For every two wreaths sponsored at our location, we get a third wreath for free. They are only $17 each. So, we only need to sponsor 37 more wreaths. If you would like to sponsor wreaths, use the QR code below, or contact Ray Mowery (raymondmowery@hotmail.com).
We are also looking for volunteers to participate in our ceremony. We are looking to fill these roles:
- A veteran from the navy to place a navy stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
- A veteran from the air force to place an air force stick flag on a display at the front of the
church. - A veteran from the coast guard to place a coast guard stick flag on a display at the front of
the church. - A veteran from the space force to place a space force stick flag on a display at the front of
the church. - A veteran to place a POW/MIA stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
- A member to read the History of Wreaths Across America (the paper to read will be
provided). - A member to introduce our first speaker, Representative Torren Ecker of the PA 193rd
legislative district (the paper to read will be provided). - A member to introduce our second speaker, retired Colonel Park Beirbower (the paper to
read will be provided). - Three members to serve in the Color Guard (in Colonial attire).
If you would like to participate in any of these roles, please notify Ray Mowery
(raymondmowery@hotmail.com). We hope for a big turnout from our members for this event.
Thank you,
Ray Mowery
