VETERANS REMEMBERED. Representatives of military branches, the Tri-State Young Marines and Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad joined Eric Fithyan, owner of Chambers and James Funeral Homes, his staff and volunteers in placing wreaths at the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park at Brooke Hills Park in honor of the nation's servicemen and women. The service was one of nearly 1,000 held throughout the United States as part of the Wreaths Across America program. -- Contributed

WELLSBURG — For the fifth consecutive year, Chambers and James Funeral Homes organized a local service for Wreaths Across America at the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park at Brooke Hills Park.

Held Dec. 16, the service was one of nearly 1,000 conducted throughout the United States as part of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit program that supplies wreaths for the graves of veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery and other national and state veteran cemeteries. Wreaths purchased for local veterans’ graves through the funeral homes supported that effort.

“This is the way we care and show our community that our veterans and soldiers are our heroes every day. We truly remember their families and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” said Eric Fithyan, the funeral homes’ owner.

Among those attending were representatives of the Wellsburg Fire Department, who escorted the funeral home and wreaths to the site; the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad; Civil Air Patrol; Army National Guard; Navy; and Tri-State Young Marines.

Emily Kuhn, a young member of the Civil Air Patrol of Wheeling, said the service reminded her of those who endanger themselves to defend America’s freedoms.

“You can honestly see how many people there are that are just risking their lives on a daily basis so that we can stand here and we can be free,” she said.

The weather was brisk and cold but it didn’t stop volunteers with the funeral homes and others from laying wreaths at the monument, which pays tribute to Brooke County service members who died while serving their country as well as those who were prisoners of war or declared missing in action.

Wreaths were laid in honor of those who served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, with the last placed to honor POWs and MIA.

“This is not just for the members that have died but these are in remembrance of their families and the members that are currently serving,” said Fithyan.

He noted the event’s motto is to “Honor the fallen, remember those that have served and are serving and teach future generations the value of freedom.”

The funeral home staffers will continue to lay other holiday wreaths at other area monuments.