Tag: Wreaths Across America

First Annual Washingtonburg Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Middle Spring Presbyterian Church

Saturday, December 14th, 2024 marked the inaugural Washingtonburg Wreaths Across America ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg, PA (https://www.middlespringpc.org/). In attendance were several local veterans, PA District 193 Representative Torren Ecker, Colonel Park Bierbower, Girl Scout Troop 80063, Washingtonburg compatriots Raymond Mowery, Captain Dennis Dyckman, Steven Messner, Douglas Cubbison, Colonel Jeffery “Tank” Patton, Rev. Douglas Reagan, Dale Leppard, Jeremy Winn, Theron Winn, Rev. William M. Sloane, William S. Sloane, and members of the public. 100 wreaths were sponsored through the program and these were placed on every veteran’s grave in the Lower, Upper, and Modern sections of the cemetery.

Colonel Park Bierbower and Honorable Torren Ecker

Live With Purpose

The Honorable Torren Ecker, PA District 193 Representative, and Colonel Park Bierbower spoke on the year’s theme, “Live with Purpose”, before laying the ceremonial wreath at the Soldier’s Memorial outside of the church.

Looking Forward To Next Year

The Washingtonburg chapter hopes to make this event a holiday tradition and plan to be back at Middle Spring Presbyterian next year on Saturday, December 16, 2025. Wreaths Across America will match every wreath sponsored at our location for next year’s ceremony from now through January 17, 2025. Please use the link below to sponsor wreaths:

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181029/Overview/?relatedId=180890

Gallery

  • Civil War Veterans Monument
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Raymond Mowery
  • Frank Gelwicks
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Steve Messner
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Douglas Cubbison
  • Kyla Jones
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Col. Jeffery “Tank” Patton
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Rev. Douglas Reagan
  • Washingtonburg Compatriots Douglas Reagan and Dale Leppard
  • Rev. Ed Blank
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Cap. Dennis Dyckman
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Jeremy Winn
  • Washingtonburg Compatriot Theron Winn

Volunteer For Wreaths Across America Event

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

Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support!

Washingtonburg Chapter Joins Wreaths Across America

WASHINGTONBURG’S
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2024 — 10:00 am
Middle Spring Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
(135 Middle Spring Rd – Shippensburg, PA)

To sponsor a wreath:

  1. Visit this website:  https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181029/Overview/?relatedId=180890
  2. Click the red “Sponsor Wreaths” button in the top right corner
  3. Select the number of wreaths you would like to sponsor
  4. Click the red “Review My Sponsorships” button
  5. Complete the payment information
  6. Email me to make a grave-specific wreath sponsorship:  raymondmowery@hotmail.com  

* Your sponsorship is tax deductible, so print your receipt.

Our goal is to sponsor 100 wreaths to cover all veterans’ graves in the Lower, the Upper, and the Modern Cemeteries. For every 2 wreaths that are sponsored, we receive a 3rd free wreath. All wreaths that we sponsor above 100 will be donated to other Wreaths Across America locations, like Spring Hill Cemetery or Locust Grove Cemeteries across town.