Wreaths Across America ceremonies set for Dec. 14 in Hampshire

Local Wreaths Across America volunteers have been working hard to ensure that all veterans laid to rest in Hampshire Township cemeteries (Hampshire Center, Aurand, Doty, and St. Charles Borromeo) are honored as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

The Fox River Valley Chapter, NSDAR, will be holding two ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14. They invite the community to join the first ceremony at 11 a.m. at Hampshire Center Cemetery and the second at 2 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery.

“Every $17 sponsorship made is a meaningful gift from a grateful American who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We are so grateful to the good people of this wonderful community for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

Last year, ceremonies were held across the country at more than 4,200 participating locations, placing more than 3 million wreaths for interred veterans.

The goal: to place a live, balsam fir veteran’s wreath at the headstone of every American veteran to remember their sacrifice, honor their service, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/IL0212P.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission — Remember, Honor, Teach — is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.