Wreaths Across America - Cornwall is once again gearing up for another beautiful event, Organizer Melanie Larkin said this week.

Wreath placement day for 2024 is Saturday, Dec. 14 at noon at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Cemetery on Mailler Ave. in Cornwall. All volunteers are welcome! (Stake placement day is tentatively set for Saturday, Nov. 23 at noon with the backup date of Saturday, Nov. 30 in case of bad weather. Stake placement day is when marker stakes are put on the graves which will get wreaths to make it easier for volunteers in case of snow.)

What is the Wreaths Across America Mission? To Remember, Honor and Teach.

From the greater Wreaths Across America organization: “We carry this out, in part, by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, veterans’ cemeteries, and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. In 2023, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed over 3 million veterans’ wreaths at 4,225 participating locations in the United States and beyond. When a volunteer places a wreath on a servicemember’s grave on National Wreaths Across America Day, we encourage them to speak that person’s name aloud and thank them for their service and sacrifice. Wreaths Across America would not be possible without the help of volunteers, active organizations, and the generosity of the transportation industry, which offer invaluable support to WAA’s mission.”

How can you help locally? In addition to volunteering to place wreaths on December 14, you can donate a wreath, specifically to the St. Thomas Cemetery.

“We have a 3-for-2 program where you purchase two wreaths for $34 and a third goes towards our count,” Larkin said. “This year we will place approximately 390 wreaths on Veterans’ graves here.”

Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor James Gagliano is scheduled to speak at a noon ceremony on December 14. Also assisting at the ceremony will be local Boy Scouts, the Newburgh Free Academy JROTC, the Cornwall Middle School Band, and many volunteers who have participated year after year.

“We appreciate all of you!” Larkin said.

Those who want to help in other ways, or just have a few questions about how they can help can contact Larkin at 845-549-3638. There are also two upcoming pop-up events --October 18 from 5-8 p.m. at Leo’s Pizzeria in the Cornwall Plaza and on November 30 from 3-7 p.m. at the Hometown Holiday Shop Small Event on the Main Street in Cornwall.

You can follow the “Wreaths Across America - Cornwall” Facebook page for more information.