Wreaths honoring American veterans arrive in Cornelia

A long-awaited shipment of wreaths arrived in Cornelia Saturday, ready to honor the service and sacrifice of American veterans. The 1,300-mile journey from Columbia Falls, Maine brought 60 boxes of wreaths to Cornelia’s Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720, where they arrived at 2 p.m. and were warmly welcomed by a small group of local veterans who were on hand to support the truck to unload.

The wreaths are part of the annual Wreaths Across America campaign. Thousands of veterans organizations across the United States will place wreaths on veterans’ headstones to remember, honor and teach. On Saturday, December 14, volunteers from VFW Post 7720 will join other community members in laying wreaths at local cemeteries, continuing the tradition of honoring the area’s fallen heroes.

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VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church was thrilled that the shipment arrived on time. He looks forward to this event every year. This year marks the third year wreaths will be laid at local veterans’ graves in Habersham County. “It’s a special event for us,” Church said. “The opportunity to honor our local veterans is something we are very proud of.”

Tradition begins

The wreath-laying tradition began in 2022 when wreaths were laid at the VFW Cemetery on Smith Loop Road in Demorest and the Old Clarkesville Cemetery in downtown Clarkesville. The event was expanded to include Demorest Cemetery in 2023 with support from the Demorest City Council.

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In the event’s first year, around 200 wreaths were ordered. Now, just three years later, the number has more than tripled. This year, VFW Post 7720 received 720 wreaths, a result of orders from individuals and organizations wanting to honor local veterans.

Church shared his current goal for the event. “I would like to see a wreath placed on every veteran gravestone in Habersham County,” he said. “This is just the beginning and we are committed to expanding the program each year.”

For those who have ordered wreaths through the VFW Post Office, Commander Church and his wife Linda will be available for pickup at the Cornelia Post Office on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 9:00 a.m until 5 p.m

The wreaths will be placed on veterans’ headstones on December 14, continuing a meaningful tradition of remembrance and gratitude for those who served.