Wreaths Across America participation deadline approaches – a patriotic program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 –

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By Staff Reports

CLINTON – Knights of Columbus Assembly 554 is once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program.

This patriotic program has grown from humble beginnings during the Christmas season of 1992, when wreaths were placed on veteran graves in an older section of Arlington Nation Cemetery, into a national event.

In 2022 on Wreaths Across America day 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veteran graves with the help of over 2 million volunteers at 3702 cemeteries nationwide.

CLINTON – A member of the Knights of Columbus from Holy Savior parish places a wreath on the grave of a veteran for the 2022 Wreaths Across America event. (Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554)

Assembly 554 sponsors two locations, the Clinton Cemetery Association and Cedar Grove cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on East College Street in Clinton. The assembly has identified upwards of 300 veteran gravesites and is looking for individuals, small businesses or corporations to sponsor wreath purchases.

Wreaths can be purchased online at kofc554.org, by downloading a sales form and mailing to listed address, or from members of Assembly 554.

Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran at either of our sponsored locations, or for veterans buried at other locations. (Wreaths purchased for veterans at other locations may be picked up at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Savior Catholic Church on the corner of Lindale Street and Old Vicksburg Road Clinton.)

The wreaths are made with Maine balsam with a red, hand tied, weatherproof velveteen bow approximately 22” in diameter. The cost per wreath is $17.

This year Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, Dec. 16. In Clinton, the program will begin with a ceremony honoring veterans at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Clinton Cemetery, 500 East College Street followed by wreath placement on veteran graves at both the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths is welcome. There is no parking in the cemeteries, but Pleasant Green Mission Baptist Church, located across the street from the cemeteries, allows volunteers to park in their lot.

For more information about this event or for assistance purchasing wreaths please contact Bill O’Connor at (601) 906-8890.

The deadline for all wreath purchasing for Wreath Across America Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 25.