Fayette residents to participate in Wreaths Across America rites
Several Fayette County residents will participate in a special ceremony on Thursday at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County that’s part of the Wreaths Across America program. The ceremony begins just before noon at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, located at 1158 Morgan Road in Bridgeville.
“I think it’s a great idea,’ said Master Sgt. John Kenes, USMC, retired, of Uniontown, who is leading the ceremony.
Wreaths Across America is a national program that is honoring veterans in more than 230 state and national cemeteries and veterans monuments.
The Web site ( www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
) explains that the project started 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine began sending holiday wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Morrill Worchester, president of the company, made the commitment to the Arlington Wreath Project.
“Each year, the folks at Worcester Wreath Co. make and decorate wreaths that will adorn (more than) 5,000 headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes – in what has become an annual event coordinated with the Cemetery Administration and the Maine State Society,’ the Web site reported. “Row after row of bleached white stones with evergreen wreaths and red bows – it is a stirring image to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.’
This year, Worcester Wreath Co. solicited the Civil Air Patrol and its members to expand the reach of the project with Wreaths Across America to place memorial wreaths at each of the 230 state and national cemeteries and veterans monuments across the country.
Morrill Worcester explained on the Web site, “Our goal is to expand the recognition of those who serve our country, both past, present and future, as well as their families who deserve our support. Without the sacrifices of our veterans, there would be no opportunity to enjoy the freedoms, the life we live today.’
Kenes, commander of the Department of Pennsylvania, Military Order of the Purple Heart, is leading the local ceremony, which will include the laying of seven wreaths at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
“We’re going to place wreaths to represent the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard and POWs (prisoners of war),’ Kenes said.
The Rev. David Bell of Stahlstown, a Vietnam veteran who is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Hearts, will give an invocation. Kenes will give a brief explanation of what is taking place and there will be a moment of silence at noon that will coincide with participants in similar ceremonies nationwide.
In fact, the Web site noted, “For those not able to attend, please pass the word that there will be a moment of silence at noon EST, where people all across the nation will stop and share a silent thank-you to all those who serve, to all we’ve lost and to their families who will be without loved ones this holiday.’
Local participants who will lay wreaths include Kenes, representing the Marines; Mark Doorley of Uniontown, a Vietnam veteran, who will represent the Army; Steve Nemmick of Uniontown, a Vietnam veteran, representing the Navy; Elliott Rizer of McClellandtown, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, representing the Army; and John Riffle of Uniontown, a World War II veteran from the Army Air Corps, representing the Air Force.
Dale Coughenour of Uniontown, who served with the Marines in Vietnam, will lay a wreath for the Merchant Marines.
David Molloy of Washington County, who is retired from the Navy and is a representative of the Patriot Riders, will lay a wreath for Coast Guard.
Representing prisoners of war and those missing in action is Abie Abraham of Butler, a retired sergeant major in the U.S. Army who is a survivor of the Bataan Death March and the author of two books.
The Mon Valley Leathernecks will fire a salute during the ceremony. Julie Harvey of Brownsville will sound taps while Neil Ridell of Uniontown will sound the echo. Brother Damien Murkley of St. Anthony’s Friary in Uniontown will give the Benediction.
The Patriot Riders and other veterans organizations are also expected to participate.