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Unionport OES project means six cemeteries are first-time participants in Saturday's Wreaths Across America
UNIONPORT -- While there are number of area cemeteries that already have been on board as locations for Wreaths Across America ceremonies, five cemeteries in Wayne Township and one in Salem Township will be first-time participants this Saturday, thanks to the initiative of Le'Ann Gibbons, worthy matron of Unionport Chapter No. 360 Order of the Eastern Star.
"This year we were asked to become more involved in our communities," Gibbons said of the OES in explaining how the effort began earlier this year. "As incoming worthy matron, I asked the chapter if I could start my project early. I had picked Wreaths Across America and wanted to start with three wreaths in the cemetery at Unionport. That cemetery is where our lodge is located," she said. "My theme this year is 'Teach Me Something,' and I soon learned that this project was going to be more than three wreaths."
Since Sept. 3, Gibbons has registered six cemeteries with Wreaths Across America, 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 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. "Be an American Worth Fighting For" is the theme of this year's observance of Wreaths Across America.
Those Jefferson County cemeteries include five in Wayne Township and one in Salem Township. The Wayne Township cemeteries are Pine Run, Unionport, Bloomingdale, Shaffer Cemetery in McIntyre and Mount Moriah Cemetery. East Springfield Cemetery in East Springfield also has been registered.
"These six listed cemeteries have a total of 513 veteran graves," Gibbons said, "I have become this area's coordinator, and our chapter is a sponsoring fundraising chapter. That means that we receive $5 dollars back from each wreath sold for another fundraiser," she said.
Local businesses were approached for donations and private donations also were received, according to Gibbons. "On Nov. 13, we purchased 534 wreaths -- 513 for the veterans in our six cemeteries. Additionally families with veterans in other cemeteries added to our order and fundraising opportunity. I personally would like to thank all who have made this a true community project," she said.
"With the money we will be receiving back it will be divided between four projects," Gibbons continued, noting each will receive $700. The beneficiaries are "the Fisher House in Oakland, Pa., a place for families with veterans in the hospital to stay, free of charge, while their veteran is hospitalized. Secondly, One's Too Many, a hotline for suicidal veterans. Third, our worthy grand patron's project, Vans for the Shriner Hospital (upkeep), and lastly, the Benevolence Fund for Ohio Eastern Star."
The schedule for Saturday's services involving these six cemeteries are:
≤ "We will start our ceremonies at Wayne Township Unionport Cemetery at noon," Gibbons said. Veteran, Brother Mason and Wayne Township trustee Rich Davis will serve as master of ceremony. The Rev. Melody Essex will sing the national anthem. "The Hopedale American Legion Honor Guard will present the seven wreaths for each branch of the service plus POW," she noted. The guest speaker will be Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla, and Boy Scout Troop 20 will be presenting the military flags. Then area volunteers will present 114 wreaths to the veterans.
– Next will be Wayne Township Bloomingdale Cemetery where Bloomingdale Mayor Dave Gaffney will serve as master of ceremony. Essex will sing the national anthem, and the Hopedale American Legion will present the seven wreaths. The guest speaker will be state Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction. Local volunteers will present 150 wreaths to the veterans.
– Third will be Shaffer Cemetery in McIntyre. Gaffney will serve as master of ceremonies, and Essex will be singing the national anthem. Hopedale American Legion Honor Guard will be presenting the seven wreaths. The guest speaker will be Edward Littlejohn Jr., and local volunteers will present 25 wreaths to the veterans.
– The last service of the day will be at Mount Moriah Cemetery, according to Gibbons, who noted Davis will be the master of ceremony, Essex will sing the national anthem and the Hopedale American Legion Honor Guard will present the seven wreaths. The guest speaker will be Dan Cermak. Local volunteers will present 20 wreaths to veterans.
– Also at noon, a ceremony will be held at East Springfield Cemetery. Chelsea Matta-Householder will be singing the national anthem, and the Amsterdam VFW Honor Guard will be presenting the seven wreaths. The guest speaker will be veteran Greg Bush, pastor of East Springfield Christ United Methodist Church. Girl Scout Troop, Amsterdam VFW Ladies Auxiliary and local volunteers will present 198 wreaths to the veterans.
"This project has been quite humbling and such a huge success because of a community coming together," commented a grateful Gibbons, "Thank you everyone for making this project successful."
Gibbons said social distancing and mask wearing will be observed in light of COVID-19 safety precautions.
For information on helping with the placement of wreaths Saturday at these cemeteries contact Gibbons at (740) 461-4111.
Other cemeteries with services
Other known area cemeteries with Wreaths Across America services Saturday are:
– Union Cemetery and Mount Calvary in Steubenville will be combined and take place in the Veterans Section of Union Cemetery, beginning at noon. "We ask that anyone attending arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.," noted Wendy Barr, local coordinator.
– Two Ridges Cemetery's ceremony in Wintersville will begin at 11:30 a.m.
– Fort Steuben Burial Estates' ceremony in Wintersville will get under way at noon.
– New Cumberland Cemetery's ceremony begins at noon.
– Paris Cemetery of Paris, Pa., will have memorial service beginning at noon.
– National Cemetery of the Alleghenies located in Washington County, Pa.
Individuals interested in participating in this year's wreath placement are encouraged to register to volunteer so that they can be kept up-to-date on details for the day as it draws closer. People can register at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and enter the location code of the cemetery where they'd like to help place wreaths.
The number of wreaths sponsored locally this year for placement are: Union Cemetery, 150; Mount Calvary, 31; Fort Steuben, 50; and New Cumberland, 270.